Some pieces arrive quietly, and some walk into the studio and immediately take up space. This one definitely did the latter.
When my husband finished this reclaimed wood mosaic, he stepped back, looked at it, and said, “This is a chunky piece.” I laughed, because I instantly knew who it reminded me of: Murphy. Our big, handsome, 20‑pound cat who helped inspire the name Mcatz Creations and who still feels present in our home and in my “grief season” each year. The artwork itself weighs 16 pounds, which feels just right—solid, substantial, impossible to ignore in the best way.
Ready to give Chunky Murphy a spot on your wall? Click here to buy this cutie.
How the Chunky Murphy Mosaic Came to Life
Like many of our pieces, this one started with a stack of reclaimed wood and a loose sense of possibility. My husband cut each block by hand, choosing lengths and widths as he went rather than following a strict pattern, and glued them down one by one to build that thick, dimensional surface.
He stained the natural wood to bring out the knots and grain, then picked specific blocks to paint in metallic and iridescent blues and greens, with just enough purple to keep things interesting. It’s a color story that doesn’t shout; it shimmers. Sealed with polyurethane for protection and a soft sheen, it feels more like sculptural wall art than a flat painting—your eye travels over the different heights and textures the way your hand would.
The Tree in the Middle
If you look closely, you’ll see a tree form rising up through the mosaic, its trunk and branches reaching through the patchwork of wood. That was intentional.
The tree feels especially symbolic here—growing out of uneven, imperfect blocks, finding its shape in the middle of the chaos. It speaks to growth, resilience, and staying rooted even when life is messy. The blues and greens feel fresh without being loud, and the hints of purple give it a slightly mystical, twilight quality. It’s the kind of piece that makes a room feel more alive, especially when the light hits those metallic paints and shifts throughout the day.
Why We Named It After Murphy
Murphy—and his sister Mazzy—are the reason our shop is called Mcatz Creations. They were the original “MCatz,” filling our home with personality long before the sawdust and wood scraps arrived. Saying goodbye to them changed our world in ways only fellow pet people truly feel. Murphy wasn’t “just a cat.” He was family.
When we finished this piece, it wasn’t only its size that made “Murphy” feel like the right name. It was the personality. It’s chunky and grounded, but it glows. It has presence and softness at the same time. It feels like it belongs in a lived‑in, loved home—exactly the kind of space Murphy always claimed for himself (preferably the sunniest spot available).
Naming it the Chunky Murphy Mosaic felt like a way to honor him without turning the piece into something sad. It’s a celebration of his heft, his humor, and the comfort he brought into our lives. Every time I see it, I think of him and smile first, even if my eyes get a little misty afterward.
A Statement Piece With a Story
Practically speaking, this is a substantial, ready‑to‑hang reclaimed wood artwork on a solid wood frame, weighing about 16 pounds and measuring roughly 27.5 x 23 x 2.5 inches. It’s large enough to stand alone as a focal point over a console, in an entryway, above a mantel, or anchoring a gallery wall.
Thanks to its color palette and texture, it works beautifully in:
- Rustic modern or farmhouse spaces
- Nature‑inspired or cabin‑style rooms
- Moody, layered interiors with lots of wood and mixed materials
- Clean, contemporary spaces that need one bold, warm, textural piece
It’s the kind of artwork that doesn’t just decorate a wall—it changes the mood of the room. You notice it from across the space, and as you move closer, you start to see more: the cut lines, brush strokes, knots in the wood, and the way the colors deepen and soften with the light. And if you’re a pet person—or someone who’s ever loved and lost a furry family member—it might land even deeper.
Chunky Murphy is available now in our Etsy shop (original, one-of-a-kind piece).
Bringing Murphy’s Spirit Into Someone Else’s Home
Letting go of a tribute piece isn’t always easy. Part of me would love to keep everything connected to Murphy close forever. But there’s also something beautiful about the idea of his name—and the love behind it—finding a home somewhere new.
My hope is that the Chunky Murphy Mosaic lands with someone who feels its warmth and story, whether or not they know every detail. Maybe it will remind them of a larger‑than‑life pet, a particular season of growth, or simply of the way light filters through trees at dusk.
And for whoever eventually brings it home: thank you for making space in your world for a piece that carries so much of our heart. If you’re dreaming of a custom reclaimed wood piece in a different palette or size, we’d love to create something one‑of‑a‑kind with your story woven in—just reach out and tell us what you’re imagining.