Artist Statement: The animal print camouflage is a nod to the military presence in our area. My father is retired from the Army. I have a great respect for the armed services. I wanted to create a colorful piece that would engage the viewer from all sides. There are a number of objects hidden within the spots and stripes of the camouflage. Look for the wishbone, a balloon, a slice of bread, a lobster claw, and a banana. The chameleon has a little of all kinds of animal camo patterns on its body. Much like our area, there’s a little of each branch of service. The music and art will be in perfect harmony. Viewers will have fun interacting with this piece and each other whether they play the piano, sing, or enjoy looking at a work of art.
Making art with children is one of my favorite things. The children in my family know it. The students I teach at McIntosh Elementary know it, too. In fact, the art room is often referred to as “the Happy Place”. I am Tiffany Johnson Murchison, a product of Newport News Public Schools and an elementary art teacher. I have studied art at Virginia Commonwealth University, The Art Institute of Atlanta (Associate’s in Visual Communications, 1994), and Christopher Newport University (Bachelor’s in Fine Art, 2001). I’ve been employed at NNPS for 28 years. The best part is that I teach at the school I attended in grades 3-5. I have loved art all my life. The children in my family get my special art experiences during summer break. We have visited all kinds of art museums, been mermaid hunting and mural hunting in Norfolk (NEON District), and done all kinds of arts and crafts in my kitchen and back yard. I have hosted paint parties for friends and taught at summer art camps in Suffolk and Newport News. I share my passion for art with anyone who wants to join me. I recently donated my artistic services last summer when I designed and painted a mural in the recreation/fitness room of the Peake Childhood Center in Hampton.
