Mr. Murdoch’s work has shown in the United States and in Europe. His work has been displayed at the Ellarslie Museum in Trenton, The Lancaster Museum of Art, The Ernst Museum in Budapest, and at Mercer County College. John has been featured on “Vox Artis”, a television program featuring central New Jersey artists, and on Kulturalis Magazin, a nationwide television program in Hungary. Articles featuring John and his work have appeared in American Artist Magazine, The New York Times, The Times, The Asbury Park Press and Time Off Magazine.

Mr. Murdoch attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago on a scholarship and continued his studies at Atelier LeSueur in Excelsior, Minnesota. He won the John and Anna Lee Stacey Scholarship while culminating his studies at The School of Representational Art in Chicago. Atelier LeSueur and The School of Representational Art in Chicago are part of a chain of sister schools based on the rigorous French atelier system of training during the late 19th century.

A direct lineage exists between Jacques Louis David and Mr. Murdoch’s instructors. Careful observation of nature along with skilled and dexterous use of materials is a result of this superb training.

He works in traditional portraiture and still-life with a slight otherworldly edge. John uses traditional oil paint on canvas or wood panel. His portraits are typically very classical and strive to dignify the sitter. His still- lifes range from very classical to surreal with either style emphasizing organic objects.

John was born in Oak Lawn, a south suburb of Chicago, and has lived in California, Arizona, Washington, and Minnesota.
John now lives in Princeton, New Jersey.