Bill Murphy was born on Staten Island, New York, in 1952. About his early years he states:

“My mother tells me I drew a lot as a small child. My first real memory of drawing was in kindergarten, painting a picture of Zorro, a popular TV character at the time. A profound early influence on my way of thinking was the comic books of the 1960’s, in particular the work of Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, both drawing for Marvel comics. Later, the psychedelic poster art of the Fillmore East would form my early sense of design.”

Murphy received his MFA from Vermont College, and has also studied at the Art Students League and the Blackburn Printmaking Workshop.

He has taught at Wagner College since 1984, and currently holds the rank of Professor. From 1998 through 2003 He was the Chairperson of the Art Dept, and is the director of the Wagner College Gallery.

Murphy’s work has been exhibited in over 100 group, juried, and one person exhibitions throughout the world.

In New York City his work is represented by the Old Print Shop.

Bill Murphy’s work is included in the following public collections:The Library of Congress, The British Museum, The Brooklyn Museum, The National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, The New York Public Library, The Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences, The Parkersburgh Arts Center (West Virginia), The Newark Public Library, The New York Transit Museum, Westinghouse Corporation, Nassau Community College (Long Island, New York), The Denver Art Museum, Hofstra University, The Syracuse University Art Collection and the New York Historical Society.