George Murray - Living the Fairy Tale

By: Susan Lang

Growing up in the early days of cartoon animation gave Wilmington native George Murray a respect and admiration for Walt Disney and his team of artists. As a young boy, he found he had an affinity for drawing, and he began developing his skills by replicating Disney cartoon characters.

Little did he know that his early interest in Walt Disney would come full circle nearly a lifetime later. 

However, a career in art would be put on hold for more than 30 years. Instead he heeded the call of corporate America. After a four-year stint in the Air Force and earning two degrees from UNC-Wilmington in economics and accounting, Murray spent the next twenty-eight years as a corporate controller.

Finally, after years of travel and number crunching, Murray had a radical career change.

“I got tired of accounting and traveling with my job,” he said. He began planning a change of career that would allow him to pursue his art and make a living. 

In December 2004, Murray left the corporate world and opened his shop, Murray Art & Frame in Leland. In addition to providing custom framing, digital scanning and old photo restorations, the store showcases Murray's pencil portraits, as well as works by other local artists, all of which are for sale.

Murray has an affinity for nostalgia that shows in his choice of subjects, primarily Hollywood and sports legends. He is particularly well known for his Andy Griffith Show character portraits, and he is the only portrait artist whose works are approved by Andy Griffith.

Wanting to give something back to the community, Murray began offering his celebrity portraits for charity fundraisers.  His portraits were so well received by the subjects, that many autographed them for fundraising events.  Murray is particularly supportive of charities that support people with illness, especially children. A great deal of his time goes into supporting these charities through donations of his time and artwork. 

It seemed that Murray had it all -- a thriving business, time to devote to the creation of his art and work that he loved. That is, until one famous fairy flitted into his path.

Enter a talent agent in Los Angeles who was looking for a gift for her client, Margaret Kerry. Kerry, a Hollywood actress, was one of the original "Our Gang" cast members from the television series The Little Rascals and was the live model for Tinker Bell, the impish pixie from Disney's animated film "Peter Pan."

The agent found the perfect gift -- one of Murray's pencil drawings of the "Our Gang" cast.

The present was a hit and Kerry immediately commissioned Murray to create 30 works for her upcoming memoir, Tinker Bell Talks, which is expected to be published this year. Murray created pencil drawings of some of Kerry's friends such as Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Shirley Temple and Groucho Marx.

“We have become very close,” says Murray of their friendship.  Kerry will be in the area in August meeting the public and signing Tinker Bell photos and Disney memorabilia.

As Murray can attest, fairy tales do come true.

You can learn more about Murray and view his work by visiting his shop at 511 Waterford Way in Waterford Plaza or online at www.murrayart.com. (910) 371-3833