Munich and Back Again, a Murphy Tale

Well, it's been sometime since returning from Munich, but the memories are still vivid. In an attempt to not bore everyone to death with the small details of travel, I will structure this into a numerical hierarchy. Five favorite moments from the few days in the capital of beer. Make no mistake... that's basically what it is. So here we go.


5.) The Deutsches Museum:
This place is absolutely insane. The sheer scale of this place is enough to scare even the nerdiest of engineers. It is the world's largest museum of technology and science, with approximately 1.3 million visitors per year and about 28,000 exhibited objects from 50 fields of science and technology. We're talking full sized planes, music instruments I know not the name of, huge looms, printing presses, and my favorite... a vast variety of clocks! Three hours in this exhausting monster, and you'll welcome the museum restaurant... and yes, you can repower with a nice tall malty brew. Here is a picture of a time measured candle. The balls were melted into the wax of a candle and as it burned, when they would fall, an hour would have been measured. I thought some of this older technology would come in very handy in post apocalyptic times.


4.) Bike Paths:
I can't remember the last time I got on a bicycle, but Munich's two wheeled passion is very impressive. If you plan on being a tourist there, for your own safety... STAY OFF THE BIKE PATH! They're nicely situated between the street and sidewalk, but the delineation between the pedestrian and bike lane is sometimes subtle. Munich-ians will ring the dickens out of the bell f you drunkenly stumble in their path, too. It's not just rooty tooty eco-freaks that ride. I saw 70 year olds buzzing around town, with packages from daily errands. With the amount of meats being consumed, staying active with your bike is probably the best decision.

3.) HOLY SAUSAGE:

Don't get me wrong, I'm not anyone to point fingers at bad eating habits. Please, I come form the land of hot dogs and mac and cheese. But, I think it is fair for me to comment on the lack of vegetable matter in Germany. Sauerkraut does not count, although it is very tasty! We got a sampler platter of sausgae and cheese. If you thought sausages was simple, oh ho ho ho, you are mistaken friend! You can have mildy, sweet, spicy, long, short, soft, hard, with skin, without, in a sauce, in a pie, sliced, linked... it's really impressive. Now the cheese... perhaps because I judge it with France, its not the best. BUT a notable cheese to mention is Romadur. Sweet cherubs in heaven, I have never smelt then ATE something this bad. Because of the strong smell it’s often called “Stinkkäse“ or “Stinky Cheese”. Manure. It smelt like manure, people. I had to eat it, since the lovely German family who clued us into it, were all staring! No need to be rude.

2.) Biergartens:
Wow, I really can't think of a more relaxing way to spend a sunny summer afternoon. Here's a bit of a definition and history to these fine establishments. Beer gardens in Germany developed in Bavaria in the 19th century, during which dark lager beer was predominant. According to a decree by King Ludwig I, this had to be brewed during the cold months, since the fermentation had to take place at temperatures between four and eight degrees Celsius. In order to provide this beer during the summer, large breweries dug beer cellars in the banks of the river Isar, which allowed them to keep the beer cool. In order to further reduce the cellar temperature, the banks were covered in gravel and chestnut trees were planted, since their leaves provided good shade in summer. An example of the cellar architecture can still be seen at Augustiner Bierkeller, which was my favorite establishment. Soon after, the beer cellars were used not only to store but also to serve the beer. Simple tables and benches were set up among the trees, and soon the beer gardens were a popular venue for the citizens of Munich. This aggrieved the smaller breweries that remained in Munich. In order to prevent the further loss of customers, they petitioned Ludwig I to forbid that the beer cellars surrounding Munich to serve food. Thus, the patrons were allowed to bring their own food. This decree is no longer in force, and many beer gardens do serve food today, but families still come and enjoy the shade with a lovely family picnic. My favorite garten, was the Japanisches Teehaus in the English Garden. With an area of 3.7 km² the "Englischer Garten" is one of the world's largest urban public parks: it is larger than New York's Central Park. We'll talk more about that place later... but the impressive things about these biergartens is the people watching. AMAZING specimens. My favorite was a shaggy, tan blonde man, in the tiniest nuthugging lederhosen, rollerblades, and HOCKEY helmet. I watched him skate by with a large grin, order a liter and sausage, then skate to a little table to enjoy his sauagey wonder. It was beautiful. I regret not taking a picture. A few more things to mention... PRETZELS THE SIZE OF MY HEAD and amazing waitresses who can carry 4 liters in ONE HAND. Those girls deserve mad props.


1.) The English Garden:
Why is this number one over the biergartens?? Ok. I'll tell you why. Picture a gorgeous sunny Sunday. The city is so well designed, that even during a rush hour, it's never overwhelming. Same for a weekend in the park. The vast lawns easily attracted hundreds upon hundreds, while dog walkers and bikers flooded the wooded paths. While walking, we decided to catch a bit of sun on one of the lawns. Approaching the center, I saw a young girl laying face down with her top undone making sure she had no tans lines. I started joking saying I should snap a picture for the guy friends back home, when started to look further in the distance. Either they were all wearing flesh colored bathing suits or.... OMG! Everyone was NUDE! Antoine laughed and said I should capture the woman blowing her nose, but he failed to see the 70 year old man walking RIGHT AT US, free as a newborn babe. He near ran off the lawn, pushing me with him. I guess I should have read the section of the travel book about the Schönfeldwiese. Between the Monopteros and the Japanisches Teehaus lies the Schönfeldwiese (lit. "Beautiful meadows"). In this part of the Gardens nude sunbathing has been permitted since the 1960s, and believe me... they utilize every inch of that lawn. I thought it was the funniest thing ever. I recommend grabbing two Radler (lemonade and beer) liters at the Teehaus, and take a stroll through. Human zoo... only in München!

So if I were to give advice on your visit: warn your liver, pack a salad, and leave the swimming trunks at home, because in Munich, they let it all hang out!

Hooray for Masterpiece!

Only about a month and a half away from being released, the buzz about Masterpiece, written by Elise Broach, has already begun. I could not be more excited about it. It's my first illustrated chapter novel, and as I remember it, the action that occurred around us was insane, to be mild. It came to multiple hospital rooms, across oceans, in trains, while dog sitting... creating these illustrations almost seemed like the one thing that kept me grounded during a turbulent time.

And I cannot be more excited when the School Library Journal wrote these nice things about Elise's novel. Check it out. I really hope the best for this special book.

More Oni, More Problems You Got,

I really have been enjoying creating these slightly not so Kelly characters. I also love working for European publishers. Never before I have heard an editor say, "We need more scary, muscles, and weaponry." I love it. More importantly, Friday I head to the Mecca of all beer... MUNICH. Words can't describe how excited I am.

Mo' Momotaro!

Momotaro

According to the present form of the tale (dating to the Edo Period), Momotarō came to Earth inside a giant peach, which was found floating down a river by an old, childless woman who was washing clothes there. The woman and her husband discovered the child when they tried to open the peach to eat it. The child explained that he had been sent by Heaven to be their son. The couple named him Momotarō, from momo (peach) and tarō (eldest son in the family). Years later, Momotarō left his parents for an island called Onigashima to destroy the marauding oni (demons or ogres) that dwelt there. En route, Momotarō met and befriended a talking dog, monkey, and pheasant, who agreed to help him in his quest. At the island, Momotarō and his animal friends penetrated the demons' fort and beat the demons' leader, Ura, as well as his army, into surrendering. Momotarō returned home with his new friends, and his family lived comfortably from then on.

My latest job is to illustrate this ancient tale. We're only in the sketch stage but it has been fun!

Western Spaghetti by PES

This is just wicked cool.

New Market Station

Another painting for fun. Trying more and more to add a tangible environment. I so need a new scanner. Or clean the inside glass somehow. Sorry for the poor quality.

The Return of the Pony

So awhile back, after painting months and months of horses, the impossible happened. I, Kelly Murphy, sickened of these four legged creatures. It wasn't anything they did personally, it was just the day in and day out of smiling. prancing horses... I simply broke. That was two summers ago. I have finally overcome the pony disgust. Look at this ridiculous animal. I admit, I even smiled while I painting it. The pony has again, brought a grin to my face. This piece is for Peaceable Kingdom Press 2009.

Marblehead

Marblehead Massachusetts is what I would describe as quintessential coastal New England. I had never been there until this past Friday, and it's quite lovely. Avoiding gross commercialization, the town has made a concerted effort to retain its authentic historical setting. Here's a bit of history:

Marblehead was first settled as a plantation of Salem in 1629 by John Peach Sr., then set off and incorporated in 1639. Originally called Massebequash after the river which ran between it and Salem, the land was inhabited by the Naumkeag Indians under the sachem, Nanepashemet. At times called Marvell Head, Marble Harbour (by Captain John Smith) and Foy (by immigrants from Fowey, Cornwall), the town would be named Marblehead by settlers who mistook its granite ledges for marble. It began as a fishing village with narrow, crooked streets, and grew inland from the harbor. The shoreline smelled of drying fish, typically cod, which were exported abroad and to Salem. The town peaked economically just prior to the Revolution, as locally financed privateering vessels pirated the seas for bounty from large European ships. Much early architecture survives from the era. A large percentage of residents became involved early in the fight for American freedom, and the sailors of Marblehead, under General John Glover, are generally recognized by scholars as forerunners of the American Navy. The town tradition holds that Marblehead men ferried George Washington across the Delaware River for his attack on Trenton. Many who set out for war, however, did not return. Indeed, the community lost a substantial portion of its population and economy. Additionally a gale or hurricane at the Grand Banks of Newfoundland on September 19, 1846 sank 11 vessels and damaged others. With 65 men and boys lost in the storm, the town's fishing industry began a decline.

After World War II, the town enjoyed a population boom, as a bedroom community for Boston, Lynn and Salem. This boom ended around 1970 when the town became built out.

Another fun fact about the day... my mother and I enjoy visiting cemeteries, not only for the stones, but for the flora and names of past times (we get a kick out of how strange the idea is too). I love to research the different kinds of symbols that are found in the older sections. I came across a link of three chains. I had NEVER seen this. After some research, I discovered it's the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Whaaaaa??? If you want to learn a bit about them, follow this link. It's pretty interesting. I think I need to find out more about these odd fellows. All in all, I highly recommend a drive through this "North Shore" area.

The Day the Bay Burned

I've been getting away from environment in my work lately. Decided on a beach scene, with a burning ship! Why not! Reminiscent of the Gaspée, an historic site off Namquid Drive in Warwick, Rhode Island.

The Gaspée Affair was an important incident in the course of the American Revolution. HMS Gaspée, a British revenue schooner that had been vigorously enforcing unpopular trade regulations, ran aground in shallow water, on June 9, 1772 near what is now known as Gaspee Point in the city of Warwick, Rhode Island while chasing the packet boat Hannah. In an act of defiance that gained considerable notoriety, the ship was attacked, boarded, stripped of valuables and torched by American patriots led by Abraham Whipple.

The Fourth

My favorite holiday is coming up. Most people tend to fancy Christmas or New Years time, or you have those spooky Halloween lovers. Although I loathe the hot weather, there is one day where I relish it. A warm Fourth of July, complete with burgers and dogs, wiffle ball, bocce, and some good firework action is my idea of relaxation. No need to buy any presents, dress fancy, travel long distances... it's all about being comfortable and having fun. Some of the funnest memories have been on the Fourth. Murphy celebrations tend to be wild.

This was one year's homemade pirate ship. The HMS PinkChicken. This was also the canoe mentioned in the following tale.

Many years ago, we had most of our extended family for a big cookout. We're talking Irish Catholic family, so this was bigger than most people's wedding. By the end of the afternoon, we had taken bricks of bottle rockets my brothers bought and started the war to end all wars.Screaming rockets were flying from every direction. I recall seeing two cousins carrying a canoe, running with it for protection as multiple rockets ricocheted off the top. We cracked the neighbor's vinyl siding, ripped wire screen, set curtains on fire, and almost blew up Aunt Mary's face. It was pretty awesome. Well not blowing up Aunt Mary's face... My family home has moved since last year, so the traditions of a certain backyard are changing. Regardless, I am still eagerly waiting for this years festivities.

Somewhere, Someone...

Still searching for a publisher.

Our poor little friend, look how tragic he is. He still doesn't have that special someone. Soupir...

Illustration Friday: Fierce

A spread from Hush Little Dragon (Abrams Books for Young Reader), written by Boni Ashburn illustrated by Kelly Murphy. I just found out that it's in its fourth print run! Holy fireballs!!

Hope and Tucker

This is a recent commission for a good friend's husband. I've done a picture of their other Dane, but the "little one" needed his own spotlight.

On a sidenote, I just found out two of my titles (Good Babies and Loony Little hardcover edition) will be deemed out of print in a few month. Sad times, but such is the life of a book.

Spicy!

Something about the color in the latest painting made me title this post absurdly. While drawing and painting this little ditty, I started to think of the meaning of body decoration. Nose rings? Really? That's comfortable? I'm a total no nonsense, no extra fuss person, so the aggravation of putting more things on my body that required pain or disfigurement just never appealed to me. So I researched a bit.
Nostril piercing is a body piercing practice often associated with India. In Northern India the outside of the left and in Southern India the outside of the right nostril is the preferred position of the piercing as this is supposed to make childbirth easier. Who, what... huh?? Slightly apropos that my woman is kneeling in a pool of blood. This is because Ayurvedic medicine associates this location with the female reproductive organs. The word "Ayurveda" roughly translates as the "knowledge of life," "knowledge of a long life" or even "science of life." In India piercings were regarded as a mark of beauty and social standing as well as a Hindu's honor to the god Parvathi the goddess of marriage in the 16th century.

So next time I see one of the teen aged Food Court Wizards at the neighborhood mall all bedecked in their nose rings, I'll give them a wink. "Anything to make childbirth easy, kids!" They might whip their Auntie Annie's pretzel at my head though.

Hedgehog in the Fog

Just a quick post of awesomeness.

Yozhik v tumane (1975)
Director: Yuriy Norshteyn
Writer: Sergei Kozlov (writer)

Studio Animals

And I mean the live ones, not the dust clumps that turn into animated beasts dashing under furniture. Recently chatting with different people who work outside of their house, I sometimes get melancholy working long days completely by myself. In fact, there are strings of days where I never even open the front door.

But, thank goodness, I have some friends to keep me company: Lily, Mama, and the three fish (which lets face it, aren't the best companions). Occaisionally when feeling frustrated, I take a look at this critters and start drawing. You know it's gotten bad when you start to have full conversations with them, AND you imitate their voice. It's gotten so bad with Lily, that people imitate me, imitating her! "Hiii!! I'm ovahh hee-yah!" She has a very thick New England accent, being from Maine and all. The cat on the other hand, has a very prissy voice, constantly saying, "Nnnnnnaaaaaoooooooow!" when she wants me to pet her, NOW.


Sheesh, maybe it would be better to work in cube land! I kind of miss it there... well maybe not.

Prints Available on Etsy!

Hello everyone! I thought I would announce that my shop is now open on Etsy. What or who is Etsy you ask?

Etsy is an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade. Our mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers. Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice:

Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade.

Since our launch in June, 2005, over 100,000 sellers from around the world have opened up Etsy shops.

As of now, I have a few prints, but in a couple days I hope to have a boatload more, including originals! Thanks so much for taking a read and supporting handmade artists.

Click here to see the shop!

I Wish I Had A Voice (and a morning doughnut)

Oh gosh. Well, you have to start somewhere. It's just the beginning, so bear with me.

Going 3D

On the train ride back and forth to NYC, I was working with some monster sketches. It was quite fun, to make ridiculous creatures, and then think of them with my cut out, movable limbs. I would have started to animate them tonight, but I couldn't find my 4-6 prong firewire. Went to Best Buy to get a new one, and guess what idiot forgot her wallet. THIS ONE! So, perhaps in the next few days, I'll be able to upload something here.

On a sidenote, things have fallen behind here! I have some imported Belgian beers to review, courtesy of Tracey and Sal. We spent a bit of time artichoking and boozling with these two beers, and it was love at first sip. Stay tuned friends!