Today we’d like to introduce you to Margaret Dowling-Murphy.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My husband, Kevin, and I started collaborating in 2020. I have been a lifelong art enthusiast, and he was doing woodworking. When I saw what he was doing, I saw an opportunity for us to merge our skills to create something unique. We have since built up our business, Murphy Wood Art, expanding our products and offerings. We grew our product line so much that, in April 2025, I spun off my own line of canvas art & prints, Dowling Murphy Art.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building a business is never a smooth road. The biggest challenge has probably been the learning curve because, not only are we always learning when it comes to our craft, but also we had to learn the ins and outs of e-commerce, social media, and all the other areas that come along with owning a business – all on top of other jobs and raising our kids.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
For Murphy Wood Art, we are known for our rustic work, often using reclaimed wood and other materials. Our work is known for being eclectic, though, and much of it is nature-inspired. We love the woods, mountains, but I especially find peace and inspiration near the water, whether it’s a lake or ocean.
I am most proud of how far we’ve come in terms of our skills, both artistically and entrepreneurially. We work really hard to make quality pieces, so we are so proud that many of our clients are repeat ones. That has allowed us to build a tight-knit community of people who appreciate our work and customer service. Some have discovered us recently, but some have been with us for over 6 years now. Our clients often become friends, so it gives us even more incentive to create pieces that we are proud to share.
For my own line, I’m ecstatic to make a return to canvas, something I stepped away from for a while due to work and family obligations (oil paint and toddlers don’t mix!). Now that they’re older, I’ve been able to pivot back to my artistic roots and have been working to refind my painting skills.
What matters most to you?
I’d say quality and accessibility are some of our top priorities. We put our hearts into everything we do, and our business is no different. We care deeply about what we are putting into the world. We believe people should be able to access quality work at fair prices so more people can enjoy art. Therefore, we try our best to offer pieces at different price points.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.MurphyWoodArt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murphywoodart/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MurphyWoodArt
- Other: https://www.DowlingMurphy.Art
