August Spotlight Artist-Elena Murphy-Fabric Artist

Welcome to August’s installment of The Artist Spotlight. This month we put the spotlight on Fabric Artist and quilter Elena Murphy.

1. Tell us about your art! 

I am a fabric person! I love fabrics of all kinds and colors. I especially like designing my projects with fabrics chosen for the individual I am creating the product for. I make custom tote bags, memory bags and many other small bags. I also make baby blankets, small quilts, landscape quilts and recently started to do some felting projects.   I try to make beauty with fabric.

2.  What inspires you? 

I am inspired by the fabrics themselves and use that sometimes to create a project to combine the beautiful colors and designs. If someone asks me to make a tote bag, I ask them what colors they like and what are their favorite things. If I am making a baby blanket I want to know if there is a “theme” to the baby’s room and use that as the key to my design.

3. How did you get started in making your art? What drew you into the field?

I started to sew on the machine when I was fairly young. My mother was an excellent seamstress and was inspirational. I made some of my own clothes and even had a sewing machine in Nursing School, where I made my own prom dress. Limited funds was the inspiration at that time!

When I had my own children, I made them many little outfits, Christening dresses, overalls, polo shirts, Halloween costumes, etc. Eventually they outgrew their desire for homemade clothing!  I started to make bags after attending a class at the Fabric store in Framingham many years ago. Many of my Medway neighbors and good friends were also into sewing and we tried and made many new projects together.

4. How long have you lived in Medway? What drew you to this town?

My late husband Pat and I moved to Medway in 1976. We found our home to be affordable for a young family starting out with 2 small children. The town of Medway was lovely and had an excellent school system. We went on to have 2 more children, and they all successfully went through the Medway school system and on to college. I still live in the same house and still love being in Medway. My daughter Kate lives in Medway with her family.

5. How can people experience your work? Do you have a website/gallery?

I do have a site on Facebook for my bags — I usually get orders for my bags by word of mouth. I have never really advertised.  I also make many of my bags and baby quilts as gifts. I am blessed to have 8 beautiful grandchildren that I love to make things for.

Recently, I retired from nursing after 52 years. I enjoyed working but with the pandemic, it became too risky. I do miss it but also have more time to spend on my sewing now. 

6. How would you like to see your art change grow and benefit others?

Now that I have the time. I would love to take some classes to improve and increase my skills. I would also love to learn from some of my friends and neighbors who have skills that are different from mine and also share some techniques that I have learned. It would be nice to teach my grandchildren who are already a craft bunch how to sew!

7. What would you like to do with your art in the future?

I like to share my work with people who enjoy a product that was made specifically with them in mind, designed for their need or enjoyment, as well as beautiful and functional. If I make you a tote bag, I want it to be pretty, sturdy and have all the pockets in the right place! When I make a baby blanket, I want it be that baby’s favorite!

8. What advice would you give aspiring artists or tips to help them in their desire to express themselves artistically?

Start somewhere! Take lessons! Ask for help! Keep pushing yourself to try something harder!  Remember no one becomes really good at anything without making mistakes!

9. Where would you like to see art thrive in Medway and how could Medway support local artist in their pursuits?

I think craft shows and showings could be helpful. The Education classes offered by the town are also a good way to encourage people to try new things.

10. What is it that you are trying to express in and through your artwork?

Art is not limited to things that hang on the wall, although a landscape quilt can do that. Combining fabrics in different ways can express beauty. A table runner with the colors of your favorite place is a piece of artwork. A bed quilt designed with beautiful fabrics is a work of art. I try to make beauty with fabric.

Elena Murphy can be reached at elenamaggie@yahoo.com and takes orders for the bags, baby blankets, table runners or Fabric landscapes. She is on Instagram as Magbags-byelena .  

Article excerpted from Medway Cultural Council's Website, Artist Spotlight, published by Kim Blenkhorn