Kevin Murphy is a master illustrator, portrait artist, and art educator with over 30 years of experience. His career began in 1992 creating commissioned works for National Geographic, LucasArts, Barnes & Noble, Sega, and even the Rolling Stones’ Bridges to Babylon tour.

In 2001, Kevin transitioned into portraiture and later founded the Art Academy to make professional-level training accessible to everyone.

Today, Kevin leads Evolve Artist, an online painting program studied in over 70 countries. What sets his approach apart is a clear, fundamentals-first method that teaches realistic painting like a science—not guesswork. Students of all ages learn to paint confidently through a self-paced, feedback-supported system that emphasizes results over raw “talent.”

Kevin’s students, including retirees, engineers, and even surgeons, consistently outperform art school graduates with just a fraction of the time typically expected to develop such skills.

Kevin Murphy Vroom Vroom Veer Summary

Art Education and Career Evolution

Kevin shared his career journey, highlighting his transition from an untrained artist to a successful professional in illustration, portrait work, and education. He emphasized the importance of hard work and dedication over natural talent, recounting how he built a school and an online resource to provide accessible art education, which has expanded to 23 brick-and-mortar schools across the US and overseas. Kevin explained that the Evolve program, which is entirely online, focuses on providing structured, skill-building assignments with feedback, creating a supportive community for students worldwide.

Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage

Kevin shared his experiences growing up in a tough neighborhood in the Bronx with three brothers, highlighting how his parents, who were not educated, emphasized the importance of education. He discussed how talent and resources often create a feedback loop, using examples from Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers" about hockey players in Canada and quarterbacks, illustrating how early advantages can significantly impact an individual's development and opportunities. Kevin also mentioned his own challenges in school, which he attributed to his environment and the lack of resources available to him, emphasizing the importance of access to opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Journey From Sports to Art

Kevin shared his family background, highlighting his older brother's academic and athletic achievements, including his career in computer science and his athletic potential that was derailed by an injury. Kevin discussed his own educational struggles and preference for individual sports like wrestling, which he pursued due to his competitive nature and desire for personal achievement. He reflected on how his interests evolved from wrestling to art, where he found fulfillment in individual pursuits.

Thrill-Seeking Journey to Art

Kevin shared his past experiences of seeking thrill and adventure, leading to multiple concussions and injuries from his youth. He discussed how his high pain threshold and need for excitement led him to engage in risky activities, despite his family's concerns. As he aged, Kevin's physical condition deteriorated due to accumulated injuries, and he transitioned from construction work to pursue a career in art.

Kevin's Journey From Construction to Publishing

Kevin shared his career journey from being a construction worker to becoming a successful book cover illustrator and later a publisher. He described how he taught himself to read and fell in love with science fiction and fantasy, leading him to pursue a career in illustration. Kevin highlighted his notable projects, including working with George R. R. Martin on Game of Thrones and creating a Rolling Stones album cover. He also discussed his experience working with LucasArts on puzzles and toy packaging for Jurassic Park.