Marie Murray is an artist based in Belfast.

Marie, a teacher of english literature was not formally trained in art. However Marie frequently participated in residential workshops, notably Abstract Painting at the Burren College of Art. Marie frequently sketched outdoors and painted mostly in watercolour, which were exhibited in group exhibitions.

When Marie retired from teaching she had time and a studio space to paint. Marie joined local classes and explored mixed media and oils. Marie’s practice of sketching outdoors in watercolour and mixed media is the basis for painting in oils in the studio. Marie uses her sketchbooks as a journal to suggest ideas and to remember the experience of light colour and atmosphere on the day.

Marie works with big brushes and palette knives, working in an instinctive gestural way with no fixed idea of what each painting will be. Marie’s favourite locations are Donegal and the Lagan Valley.