EXTRACTS: Illustrators issue 12 © 2015 The Book Palace (96 PAGES in Full edition)

86 The Studio/ Out There: Ron Murphy PR: Did you always draw? RM: Yes, it just came naturally as a child. PR: Were any other members of your family artistic? RM: My mother was very good at copying any image that my brothers, or I wanted her to draw for us when we were young. My older brother was a phenomenal artist as a child, and into his teens (amazing beyond his years). He had an unique—insane imagination...his art looked like Jay Ward merged with Jack Kirby. I was always very envious of his drawings ! My brother just gave up The amazing and, literally, off the wall Ron Murphy aka Arty Freeman was flagged up to us by illustration legend Mitch O'Connell. Ron is one of those inspirational artists who is driven to draw regardless of whether it's a paying commission or his own feverish inspirations. The walls of his studio stand as a testament to his lifelong love of bizarre and wacky illustration. ABOVE: 'Babyface', one of Ron's wild and weird drawings with colour added by gallery artist Michael Noland. LEFT: 'Mr Tiny Boss' another weirdsville rendition with colour added by Noland. FACING PAGE: The 'Arty Freeman' studio. Ron's restlessly inventive and inspirational work spills off his drawing board and literally climbs the walls of his home studio.