Roy practiced law in Austin until the urge to paint overcame common sense and he turned to his first love, painting, full-time. He sold his first drawing at the tender age of five years, a pencil drawing on hotel paper of a man painting the porch of the Tarpon Inn at Port Aransas, Texas. The painter paid Roy a nickel for it, and he was hooked.

He has been juried into many shows  including the Laguna Gloria Fiesta show in Austin, the Southwest Watercolor Society Show in Houston (honorable mention), the Western Art Show in San Antonio, San Antonio Art League and Museum, San Antonio Artists Exhibition 2005, 2006 and 2007 (Contributors Award), Plein Air Texas 2006, the Outdoor Painters Society Membership Show, and Plein Air Texas 2007.  

Murray has studied with George Strickland, John Budicin, and Bob Rohm, all recognized masters in plein air painting.