My name is Lilia Murphy, I am an artist originally from Saint Paul, MN, and who now resides in Tempe, AZ. I grew up in the Saint Paul art scene, which centers so much around bringing communities and cultures together through art. I was inspired by the artists in the twin cities as they made art that so many people were able to connect to. I aspire to do the same. Painting to me is an opportunity to go beyond what is real, to create a new world, with new characters, and new feelings that cannot be experienced except on that piece of paper. I use gouache and acrylic to create surreal paintings that transport the viewer into a world of beauty and thought.