about me

Before I could tie my own shoes, I learned to play a small accordion from my band director dad. It was 1967, and I was three.

Growing up, I studied piano, saxophone, and oboe, then music theory and jazz at the Maryland public high school where my father worked. I played in all the bands, and sang and danced in epic musical theater productions.

I went to college at a big university just north of Baltimore, and studied avant-garde theater, learning new ways of materializing sounds in intimate performance spaces. I acted and directed, and wrote and produced original plays.

After graduation in 1986, I continued writing, distilling further into poetry and prose, and was published in journals and books.

I read writers who composed for insight and connection. I followed performers who abstracted words into pure sound. I loved artists who set their stages for communion with audiences, and allowed for awe and flowing expression.

A life lived up and down the east coast through the 90s -- Baltimore to Rehoboth Beach to New York to DC -- delivered me back in Baltimore one night in 1999, at a big wall with big paper.

Hands and thick pencils. Sure and unsure. Writing and unraveling words. Drawing and dissolving letters into shapes and lines. Seeing music, hearing words, feeling deep into language, going under, coming in upon the middle of something potent and… visual.

The epiphany lingered and intrigued me and, over the next few years, I learned from artist friends how to stretch canvas, how to find paper, use graphite, charcoal, ink and then: paint.

Interview. Oregon Arts Watch.

Read the interview. Thérèse Murdza’s Paintings In the Shape of Sounds by David Slader. From clouds to sounds, an artist's path: "I hear a lot in the paintings ... some movement, something that comes after and before and above and below. Like a cropped photograph or a clip from a melody, you know there is more."

Cover Artist. Artslandia. Portland’s Performing Arts Annual 2019-20.

Read the Interview. Misty Tompoles, Artslandia founder and publisher, took notice of Murdza’s work years ago. “Her large-format paintings are hard to miss. At once stimulating and calming, their allure is irresistible. “

Podcast Introducing Artslandia’s 2019-20 Cover Artist.

Listen to the Interview. ‘A conversation with the cover artist for Artslandia’s much anticipated Annual Issue. Brilliant painter (and thinker) Thérèse Murdza’s artistic path began with toddlerhood accordion lessons from her dad, followed by a deep dive into theater.’ – Susannah Mars

Luxe Interiors + Design Magazine. Pacific Northwest Edition.‍ ‍

View the Article. "Modern Moves" by Brian Libby. Photography by Lincoln Barbour. Design by Kim Hagstette, Maven Interiors. Artwork acquisition. Commissioned.

Featured Artist. Subjectiv. A Visual and Literary Arts of the Pacific Northwest.

Read the Interview. ‘...I’m interested in how we support each other to be continually touched by beauty and surprise and color…’

Wise Design Spotlight.‍ ‍

Read the Interview. ‘...trust The River. I know from practice that it is always available. Enter the stream. Make. Edit. Make. Edit. Make. Edit. Share.’

‘11 Portland art exhibits to freshen up your fall’. Article by Briana Miller for The Oregonian.

Read the article. ‘[Murdza’s] musings and anagrams forgo the obvious words, instead riffing on a prosaic vocabulary of nouns and verbs such as "know," "tell," "look" and, in these two solo shows "cake."...the quotidian words gain insistence through repetition.’

LINKS COMING SOON.

Paintings on canvas and works on paper held in commercial, residential, and museum collections including those in Boston, MA; Brooklyn, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Baltimore, MD; Lewes, DE; Washington, DC; Durham, NC; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Northfield, MN; Cedar Rapids, IA; Grinnell, IA; Des Moines, IA; Omaha, NE; Baton Rouge, LA; Denver, CO; Boise, ID; Anchorage, AK; Portland, OR; San Francisco, CA; Oakland, CA; Los Angeles, CA; and

United Fire Group. Los Angeles, CA

Oregon Reproductive Medicine Clinic. Portland, OR

In Both Ears, Inc., Portland, OR

Cedar Rapids Bank Trust, Cedar Rapids, IA

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Cedar Rapids, IA

Kaiser Permanente Beaverton Medical Office. Portland, OR

Bluebird Real Estate. Portland, OR

Arenson Law Group, Cedar Rapids, IA

Raven Industries. Sioux Falls, SD

Raining Rose, Inc. Cedar Rapids, IA

United Fire Group. Cedar Rapids, IA

TD Ameritrade Headquarters. Omaha, NE

Performance Health Technology. Salem, OR

Kaiser Westside Medical Center. Hillsboro, OR

Creative Entertainment Management. Portland, OR

Aviva Life Insurance Co. Des Moines, IA

Smarsh, Inc. Portland, OR

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa and South Dakota, HQ. Des Moines, IA

Mirabella Portland, South Waterfront. Portland, OR

Mercy Medical Center - West Lakes. Des Moines, IA

Marshalltown Public Library. Marshalltown, IA

Mercy Cancer Center - West Lakes. Clive, IA

Casey Eye Institute. Office of Dev. Oregon Health Science University. Portland, OR

The Eleanor Building. Durham, NC

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science. Duke University. Durham, NC

UPCOMING. ‘4th Annual Postcard Show’. Dec 2026. Brassworks Gallery. Portland, OR (group)

‘TOE DIP/CANNONBALL: A Group Show About the Ritual of Entering Water’. May 2026. Museum of This, That, and the Other (MOTTO). Portland, OR (group)

‘Club V! All Woman’s Art Show’. Mar 2026. Ford Gallery PDX. Portland, OR (group)

‘Postcards From the Edge: A Benefit for Visual AIDS’. Jan 2026. Barry Campbell Gallery. New York, NY (group)

‘Deck the Walls’. Dec 2025. Ford Gallery PDX. Portland, OR (group)

‘Calm in the Chaos’. Oct 2025. Ford Gallery PDX. Portland, OR (group)

‘Portland Open Studios Preview Show’. Sep 2025. Hosted by Ford Gallery PDX. Portland, OR (group)

‘Abstract Only’. Aug 2025. Ford Gallery PDX. Portland, OR (group)

‘Level Influx: Making Steady in Turbulent Times.’ May 2025. Gilded Pear Gallery. Cedar Rapids, IA (solo)

‘For Your Eyes Only: A group show celebrating the bold, vulnerable, empowering art of the sext’. Feb 2025. Purple Door Gallery. (group)

‘Postcards From the Edge: A Benefit for Visual AIDS’. Jan 2025. Barry Campbell Gallery. New York, NY (group)

‘XXL Edition. Vol 2’. Jan 2025. Ford Gallery PDX. Portland, OR (group)

‘Make Art Not War’. 2024. Ford Gallery PDX. Portland, OR (group)

‘Postcards From the Edge: A Benefit for Visual AIDS’. 2024. Barry Campbell Gallery. New York, NY (group)

‘LOOK FEEL SHOW TELL: A DEEP DIVE exhibit into the art of the 4-letter WORD’. 2023. Rio Abajo Rio. Hillsboro, NM (solo)

‘Surprise Party: Abstract Only!’. 2023. Ford Gallery PDX. Portland, OR (group)

‘Flower Power’. 2023. Ford Gallery PDX. Portland, OR (group)

‘Tell Me Everything. Paintings for You and Yes and About Time’. 2023. Gilded Pear Gallery. Cedar Rapid, IA. (solo)

'Any Way New'. 2021. Gilded Pear Gallery. Cedar Rapids, IA. (solo)

Gallery Artists Winter Show. Moberg Gallery. 2021. Des Moines, IA

'MAKE MORE CAKE / revel and reclamations'. 2019. pushdot studio. Portland, OR (solo)

'TAKE MORE CAKE / promise and permissions'. 2019. Luke's Frame Shop. Portland, OR (solo)

'true maps'. 2019. Gilded Pear Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA (solo)

Small Works Show. 2019. Anne Irwin Fine Art. Atlanta, GA

'PAUSE'. 2018. Moore Art Project. Portland, OR

Gallery Artists Summer Show. Moberg Gallery. 2018. Des Moines, IA

The Recycled Rain Project Show. Ford Gallery. 2018. Portland, OR

'CHAPTER'. 2017. Moore Art Project. Portland, OR

The Recycled Rain Project Show. 2017. Portland, OR

'close readings and evolutions'. Luke's Frame Shop. 2017. Portland, OR (solo)

'sequitur non-sequitur'. Gilded Pear Gallery. 2017. Cedar Rapids, IA (solo)

'close readings and evolutions'. Coe College Art Gallery. 2017. Cedar Rapids, IA (solo)

New Works. Luke's Frame Shop. 2017. Portland, OR (solo)

New Works. Gilded Pear Gallery. 2017. Cedar Rapids, IA (solo)

New Works. Coe College Fine Art Gallery. 2017. Cedar Rapids, IA

Abstract Show. 2016. Anne Irwin Fine Art. Atlanta, GA

open [sketch]book. pushdot studio. 2016. Portland, OR (solo)

West Coast Roots. 2016. Anne Irwin Fine Art. Atlanta, GA

The Recycled Rain Project Show. 2016. Portland, OR

New Works on Paper 2016. Moore Art Project. Portland, OR (solo)

NW Artists Show. 2016. Anne Irwin Fine Art. Atlanta, GA

Large Works Winter Show. 2016. Moberg Gallery. Des Moines, IA

New Works. 2015. FW Gallery. Baton Rouge, LA

The Recycled Rain Project Show. 2015. Portland, OR

Sketch: New Works on Paper. 2015. Luke's Frame Shop. Portland, OR (solo)

Large Works Group Show. 2015. Featured. Moberg Gallery. Des Moines, IA

Back Gallery Group Show. 2014. Featured. Moberg Gallery. Des Moines, IA

The Paper Show. 2014. Moberg Gallery. Des Moines, IA

Siren Nation Festival Art Show: Paint Your Art Out. 2014. Portland, OR

Everything is a Love Letter: New Works. 2014. Gilded Pear Gallery. Cedar Rapids, IA (solo)

The Recycled Rain Project Show. 2014. Featured Artist. Portland, OR

The Daily Palette. 2013. University of Iowa. Iowa City, IA

The Big Oh! May 2013. Resonance Ensemble Concert Series. Portland, OR (commission)

New Works. Apr 2013. Coffeehouse Northwest. Portland, OR (solo)

24 Preludes Fugues for Painters. Mar 2013. Shostakovich Music Moderne Series.

10 Year Anniversary Exhibit. 2012. Moberg Gallery. Des Moines, IA

yes you yes. September 2012. Gallery 135. Portland, OR (solo)

Reimagining Image. 2011. pushdot studio. Portland, OR (solo)

"...come Spring." 2011. Luke's Frame Shop. Portland, OR (solo)

Thérèse Murdza: Small Works. 2011. Relish Design. Portland, OR (solo)

Music and Memory. 2011. Resonance Ensemble Concert Series. Portland, OR (solo)

New Works. 2010. ArtWorks + Brewhouse Studio. Portland, OR (solo)

Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt. 2009. Heidi McBride Gallery Install. Portland, OR (solo)

New Artists. 2009. Moberg Gallery. Des Moines, IA

Works on Paper. 2009. Moberg Gallery. Des Moines, IA

Do North. 2008. Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center. Portland, OR

Fall Show. 2006. CornerHouse Gallery. Cedar Rapids, IA

Iowa Series II. 2005. Grinnell Community Art Gallery. Grinnell, IA (solo)

The Daily Palette. 2004. University of Iowa. Iowa City, IA

Iowa Series I. 2001. Grinnell Community Art Gallery. Grinnell, IA (solo)

The Opening. 2001. Third Space Studio. Durham, NC (solo)

UPCOMING. Portland Open Studios. City-wide juried tour. Oct 2026. Portland, OR. Community Leader.

Summer Studio Visits. By appointment June thru Aug, 2026. Portland, OR

Holiday Open Studios. Every Saturday Nov 19 thru Dec 27, 2025. Portland, OR

Portland Open Studios. City-wide juried tour. Oct 2025. Portland, OR

Holiday Open Studio. Every Saturday Nov 23 thru Dec 28, 2024. Portland, OR

Portland Open Studios. City-wide juried tour. Oct 2024. Portland, OR

Holiday Open Studio. Dec 26-Dec 30, 2023. Portland, OR

Holiday Open Studio. Every Saturday Nov 25 thru Dec 16, 2023. Portland, OR

Portland Open Studios. City-wide juried tour. Oct 2023. Portland, OR

Meditation Retreat. Teacher lead. Queer sangha. 2022. Dhamma Dena Meditation Center. Joshua Tree, CA

Portland Open Studios. City-wide juried tour. 2022. Portland, OR

Artist Retreat. Independent Study. 2022. Hillsboro, MN

Meditation Retreat. Teacher lead. Queer sangha. 2022. Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center. Tierra Amarilla, NM

Artist Retreat. Independent Study. Galiano Island, BC

Artist Retreat. Independent Study. 2022. Santa Fe, MN

Artist Retreat. Independent Study. 2022. Seattle, WA

Portland Open Studios (Virtual). Juried. 2022. Portland, OR

Artist Retreat. Independent Study. 2022. Galiano and Vancouver Islands, BC

Portland Open Studios Tour. Juried. 2018. Portland, OR

SE Portland ARTWalk. 2017. Portland, OR

Portland Open Studios Tour. Juried. 2017. Portland, OR

Artist Residency. Independent Study. 2017. Southern Vermont.

Artist Retreat. Independent Study. 2017. Bozeman, Montana.

Artist Retreat. Independent Study. 2017. Los Angeles, CA

Artist Residency. Coe College. 2017. Cedar Rapids, IA

Artist Residency. Independent Study. 2016. Normandy, France

Portland Open Studios Tour. Juried. 2016 Portland, OR

Portland Community Supported Art Project (PDX-CSA). Juried. 2016. Portland, OR

Meditation Retreat. Teacher lead. Queer sangha. 2022. Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Woodacre, CA

SE Portland ARTWalk. 2016. Portland, OR

Portland Open Studios Tour. Juried. 2015. Portland, OR

Portland Community Supported Art Project (PDX-CSA). Juried. 2015. Portland, OR

SE Portland ARTwalk. 2015. Portland, OR

Art of Life Benefit Show Auction. Mercy Hospice. 2014. Des Moines, IA

Portland Open Studios Tour. Juried. 2014. Portland, OR

The Sketchbook Project. Arthouse Co-op/Brooklyn Art Library. 2014. Brooklyn, NY

SE Portland ARTwalk. 2014. Portland, OR

Portland Open Studios Tour. Juried. 2013. Portland, OR

Art of Life Benefit Show Auction. Mercy Hospice. 2013. Des Moines, IA

Art of Independence Benefit Show Auction. Candeo Foundation. 2013. Des Moines, IA

Artist, Organizer. June 7 Ford Building Open House Event. 2013. Portland, OR

Advisory Board. An Artist A Day. Fundraiser. 2013. Portland, OR

Organizer. Feb 1 Ford Building Open House Event. 2013. Portland, OR

ARTBLOX: Artists Helping Artists. Fundraiser. Mary Lou Zeek Gallery. 2012. Salem, OR

From the Ground Up. Launch Party Auction. Fundraiser. 2012. Portland, OR

Portland Open Studios Tour. Juried. 2012. Portland, OR

Art of Life Benefit Show Auction. Mercy Hospice. 2012. Des Moines, IA

The Sketchbook Project. Arthouse Co-op/Brooklyn Art Library. 2012. Brooklyn, NY

SE Portland Artwalk. 2012. Portland, OR

Organizer. Ford Building 2nd Floor Gallery Events. 2012. Portland, OR

Portland Open Studios Tour. Juried. 2011. Portland, OR

Organizer. Ford Building 2nd Floor Gallery Events. 2011. Portland, OR

Abernethy Art + Craft Show. Fundraiser. Juried. 2011. Portland, OR

Art of Life Benefit Show Auction. Mercy Hospice. 2011. Des Moines, IA

Art Evening Auction. Cascade AIDS Project. Juried. 2011. Portland, OR

An Artist A Day. Fundraiser. Juried. Muse Art + Design. 2011. Portland, OR

Board Member. Resonance Choral Ensemble. 2011. Portland, OR

Building Liaison. SE Portland Artwalk. 2011. Portland, OR

Art of Life Benefit Show Auction. Mercy Hospice. 2010. Des Moines, IA

Art of Life Benefit Show Auction. Mercy Hospice. 2009. Des Moines, IA

Artist-in-Residence, Teaching Assistant. Grinnell Art Factory Studios. 2009. Grinnell, IA

Painting Teacher. Summer Arts Camp. Grinnell Art Factory. 2007. Grinnell, IA

Regional Arts and Culture Council. Mural Painting with Larry Kangas, 2008. Portland, OR

ArtSchool at The ArtsCenter. Botanical Drawing with Luna Lee Ray. 2003. Carrboro, NC

Durham Arts Council School. Life Drawing. Professor Cong Yuan. 2002. Durham, NC

BSc, Towson University, 1986. Towson, MD

LINKS COMING SOON.

A Holstein. "Top Design Trends with Trisha Guido." Portland Monthly Magazine. May 9, 2011.

"An Open House" by Diane Daniel. From the series of articles "How to Live With Art". North Carolina Signature Magazine. Nov/Dec 2007. Features collectors Tema Okun and Tom Stern.

"CornerHouse Gallery features New Works by Favorite Artists." Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance. CulturalCorridor.Org. Sept 2006.

The Spiritual Activist: Practices to Transform Your Life, Your Work, and Your World. Claudia Horwitz. New York: Penguin USA, 2002. Interviewed for chapter "Mindfulness."

Exploring Realities: Stories of Young Women Making Decisions and Finding Meaning. Maura Wolf. Durham, NC: Stone Circles, 2000. Interviewed for chapter "Art, Education and Adventure."