During the 1960s, Murray's works reflect an irreverent embrace of the physicality of paint. Works explore the sculptural while accessing the figurative manifesting her affinity for cartooning. Murray's childhood love of Walt Disney and the comics would underpin many aspects of her art throughout her career.

Earns a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (’62), and leaves Chicago for graduate school at Mills College, Oakland, CA. There she meets artists Carlos Villa and Jennifer Bartlett. An exhibition of Pop Art curated by Walter Hobbs at the Pasadena Art Museum (’62) and a solo exhibition of Jasper Johns at the Richmond Art Center (’63) inspire her to explore the objectness of her paintings. In 1963, she marries Don Sunseri. Her first group exhibition, 3 Painters and a Potter: Don King, Elizabeth Murray, Carla Trefethan, ceramics by Keith Holingworth opens at Mills College Art Gallery (’64). Her first solo exhibition opens at the Venus Gallery in Berkeley (’65). With an eye on New York City, Murray accepts a teaching job at Rosary Hill College in Buffalo, NY. While there, Murray exhibits environments and soft sculptures in a solo exhibition at the Tomac Gallery (’66). Moves to New York City (’67). Teaches at the Dwight School. Birth of son Dakota (’69).