For more than two decades, Bellamy Jaubert Murphy has called Isle of Hope home, drawn to its stillness, scenic beauty, and neighborly spirit. A lifelong artist with no formal training, Bellamy lets instinct guide her brush. “I’ve learned by doing—and by loving nature,” she says.

Working primarily in fluid acrylics, Bellamy remains mindful of her materials, opting for less toxic options when possible. While oils come naturally to her, the fumes eventually steered her toward a healthier palette. Regardless of the medium, nature is always at the center. “I’ve been painting birds since I was 19. But I can just as easily be inspired by a pile of palm fronds.”

Favoring spontaneity over structure, Bellamy prefers not to take commissions. Her favorite work arises when she’s swept up in the moment—when a walk outside becomes a painting hours later. “Those are my best days,” she says.

Her studio is a place where rules don’t apply. “I never paint the same way twice,” she explains. She admires the boldness of Van Gogh and the mastery of John Singer Sargent, yet she remains untethered to any one method, always learning, always evolving.

While the Isle of Hope Art & Music Festival is the only official local event she participates in, Bellamy also hosts several pop-up shows each year, inviting the community to connect with her work in a more personal setting. Her hope? That her art inspires others to tap into their own creativity and cultivate a style all their own.

Her art is available by appointment at her white Hearon cottage and will be featured in a July pop-up at Tapley’s Mercantile on Waters. You can also follow her journey on Instagram @bellamyart.