A native of Ohio, Arthur Murphy studied at the Art Student's League in New York under Boardman Robinson. He then worked for NY newspapers as a cartoonist prior to relocating to California where he studied at the California School of Fine Art.

He completed work for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Art Project between 1935 and 1940. During this time, he completed over 90 lithographs.

During WWII, he served as an artist correspondent in the South Pacific. Later he moved to Connecticut where he provided art instruction in New Haven.

Exhibited: Public Works of Art Project, Southern California, 1934 (mural); San Francisco Art Association, 1937; De Young Museum, 1939; SFMA, 1941 (solo). In: San Francisco Museum of Art; Newark Museum; De Young Museum; Oakland Museum;; Philadelphia Museum