Evelyn Dunphy considered herself an artist from childhood and made art of many kinds during the years when she and her husband were raising their children. After designing and sewing intricate hand-appliquéd wall hangings that were exhibited in galleries in New York and Connecticut, including a commission for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., Dunphy moved to Maine with her husband. After several years restoring their old farmhouse and working full-time, Dunphy realized a life dream and began painting.
Eight years ago, she resigned from her job with a biomedical research firm to become a full-time artist. Since then she has gained Signature Membership in the New England Watercolor Society, and has had paintings exhibited in many national and international juried exhibitions. She is also a member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Allied Artists of America, the Northwest Watercolor Society and Pastel Painters of Maine.
Dunphy has traveled widely and her interests are reflected in a broad range of subjects, from Africa to Japan, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and, dearest to her heart: Maine, from the coast to Katahdin.
Dunphy was recognized by the Trust for Public Lands for her contribution to the successful campaign to raise $14 million dollars in private funds to purchase Katahdin Lake and the surrounding 6000 acres and add it to Baxter State Park, thus saving it from development. In August of 2009, she will be the first Resident Artist in the history of the park.
Dunphy's paintings have been featured in International Artist magazine, where a painting made when she climbed Mt. Fuji was chosen for the "Master Painters of the U.S." section. Another was a finalist in the "Flowers and Gardens" competition. A series of paintings was included in a feature "The Pursuit of Excellence" in WATERCOLOR magazine. A story in Art Collector magazine titled "Leading Ladies" featured two of her Katahdin paintings.
Dunphy's painting "Cloud over Katahdin" were included in the New England Watercolor Society's 10th North American Biennial in Gloucester, Mass., in October 2006, won an award in the Adirondack Exhibition of American Watercolors, and in October 2007 was given an award at the National Arts Club in New York City. Two paintings were invited to the "Masters of Watercolor" Invitational at the New Bedford Art Museum exhibition.