You know, it's funny how life surprises you sometimes. I was working in corporate America when the company I'd been with got bought out, and like so many people, I found myself facing an unexpected layoff when I was in my mid-fifties. At that age, you're kind of looking at your options and thinking, "What now?" Instead of just jumping back into the corporate grind, I decided to finally scratch this creative itch I'd had for years. Maybe it was all those years of appreciating good design finally bubbling over, or maybe it was just time to stop making excuses and actually try something completely different. The layoff, as devastating as it felt initially, became this unexpected gift of permission to explore a path I'd always been drawn to but never had the courage or circumstances to pursue seriously. 

Looking back, my beginning was incredibly humbling. After that corporate layoff, I dove headfirst into digital art with this naive optimism that if I just created good work, everything would fall into place. I developed an integrated e-commerce solution that connects my digital art gallery with a professional printing infrastructure, allowing for immediate order processing and production fulfillment. I spent months perfecting 50 pieces and uploaded them to my web platform, genuinely believing that galleries and collectors would somehow discover me in that massive digital ocean. I had this romantic notion that quality would automatically translate to success. After a full year of implementing what I believed were the essential marketing strategies—maintaining an active social media presence, consistent posting schedules, and engaging with online art communities—the results were sobering: a single canvas sale. Just one! It was this crushing moment where I had to face the truth that hoping for random art buyers to stumble across my work wasn't a sustainable business strategy—it was basically playing the lottery with my future, and I was clearly losing. The math was depressing when I calculated my hourly return on all that creative investment. That's when I had a conversation with an art advisor that completely shifted my perspective. She told me something that seems obvious now but was revolutionary then: "Stop chasing individual sales and start thinking about who actually needs your art to solve real problems. Think about interior designers who are burning billable hours trying to find pieces that work within their clients' budgets and timelines." She pointed out that designers face constant pressure to source artwork that meets specific project requirements, often with tight deadlines and budget constraints. It was like someone switched on the lights. My real customers weren't people casually browsing art websites at midnight—they were professional designers who needed reliable access to quality artwork that could be customized to fit specific projects, whether that's a corporate lobby, a restaurant chain, or a residential development. These professionals deal with the same core challenge repeatedly: finding art that works within their vision while meeting practical constraints. So I completely reimagined my approach. Instead of just showcasing finished pieces and hoping someone would bite, I repositioned myself as an on-demand art resource. I created a comprehensive system where designers could specify exactly what they needed—custom colors, specific dimensions, different substrates—before they even started their layouts. No more trying to retrofit existing art into their vision, no more wasted time searching through thousands of options that almost worked. This shift transformed me from a hopeful artist into a collaborative problem-solver.

What makes my business truly unique is that I apply the same collaborative, problem-solving methodology whether I'm working with a major design firm or a homeowner redesigning their living room. This consistency of approach fundamentally separates me from most artists in the commercial space. When someone is redesigning their home, they face the exact same core challenge as a professional interior designer: finding art that perfectly complements their vision, fits their space dimensions, works within their budget, and matches their color scheme. What I've essentially done is industrialize the custom art process without losing the personal touch. I've built systems and fulfillment capabilities that allow me to offer museum-quality printing options, extensive substrate choices, and professional delivery whether someone needs one piece for their home office or fifty pieces for a hotel chain. Most artists simply can't scale their custom work this way because they're either doing high-end one-offs or mass-market prints with no customization options. The technical infrastructure I've developed is another major differentiator. My integrated e-commerce, proofing, and production system means clients receive professional-grade service regardless of their project size. A homeowner ordering a single canvas gets the same quality experience as a design firm ordering multiple installations. 

Even though I was born in Iowa, I got to Houston as fast as I could! After serving in the Navy and traveling extensively—including Mediterranean and Indian Ocean cruises and tropical island visits—I realized winter is completely optional. That was over 40 years ago, and I've been a passionate Houstonian ever since. Just like thousands of entrepreneurs who've come here to make their fortunes—many whose families have called River Oaks home for generations—I chose Houston as my base for building something meaningful. 

Now I'm launching TB Murphy Design because this city has always rewarded bold ventures and innovative thinking. River Oaks residents understand quality and personalized service, and that's exactly what I deliver: museum-quality custom art with the collaborative approach discerning clients expect. Like those entrepreneurs before me, I'm betting on Houston—and I'm here to help create beautiful spaces that reflect the bold vision defining this remarkable community.