My contribution to the de Young Museum's "Pictures of People" exhibition Alice Neel (1900–1984) referred to her paintings as “pictures of people,” emphasizing the humanity of her sitters.

12 ARTISTS | 12 COUNTY COLLECTOR PAINTINGS All 12 participating Chester County Studio Tour artists at Spring City Mill Studios have created one unique 6x6-inch framed piece of original art that will sell for $75 in order to show that art can be everywhere!

Come visit me and 12 fantastic artists during this year's Chester County Studio Tour at Spring City Mill Studios in Spring City, Pennsylvania.

Over a four-year period, I painted a collection consisting of 57 oil painting portraits of incredible, strong women. These are women who overcame hardships, broke records and blazed trails, shattering glass ceilings along the way.

 A collection of more than 50 oil painting portraits of incredible, strong women, four years in the making.

For years, decades rather, we were sailors. One summer, we ventured from our safe haven in Maryland, all the way to Block Island, Rhode Island. This was bluewater, no anchoring, all-day/all-night sailing. Huge waves crashed over our bow. I thought we were going to die.

This morning, Stay Groovy coffee mug in hand, I was reading a NYT Style Magazine article by Mary Kay Schilling about a four-story Greek Revival in Greenwich Village inhabited entirely by creative people.

Eighteenth-century English painter, Joshua Reynolds, said, “A room hung with pictures is a room hung with thoughts.”  Instantly, you know this room in the Paris home of James Cook is hung with thoughts, and beautiful pictures.

Happy National Croissant Day in the US!  My mind is in Paris where no breakfast would be complete without a croissant. I prefer my croissant au beurre (butter, no margarine) with a café Américain, while sitting at a café watching the energy of Paris pass by.

No trip to Paris is complete without enjoying the famous hot chocolate at Angelina, the 1903 tea house on Rue de Rivoli.

A DIY sugar skull painting party to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos. All you need for this project is styrofoam skulls, acrylic paint, brushes, Sharpie markers, friends and perhaps adult beverages.

Fun mother-daughter birthday celebration for my wonderful bride-to-be daughter!

I recently chatted with Constance McBride of Chadds Ford Live about what it's like to be an artist during the COVID-19 pandemic. I shared how my show schedule has been impacted, as well as what I am working on now. Click HERE to read the feature. xo, Merrill

My Inspirational Solo exhibition was scheduled three years ago. I knew then that I wanted to produce a collection that would make a difference.

My big mixed media floral paintings are now on view at Steel City in Phoenixville, PA, through January 30, 2020. I think the cupcake hat complements the paintings, don't you?

Henri the pig oil painting has been selected to be included in the 40th Berks Art Alliance Juried Show to take place in the Schmidt Gallery at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in Reading, PA.

I am fortunate to have a beautiful art studio in the Spring City Mill Studios Building in Spring City, PA, a newly renovated knitting mill factory built in 1886, with high ceilings and tons of northern light.

The art highlight of the month of May was the Chester County Studio Tour that took place the weekend of May 17 and 18 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia

You may remember in May when I asked you to vote for me for your favorite Chester County Studio Tour artist. You answered the call (THANK YOU!!!) and I won the top artist prize of $500.  This past weekend was my opportunity to give back during the Pennsylvania Dutch Farm to Fork Fondo in Lancaster County, PA...

You are invited to stop by Gallery 222 in Malvern, PA for their summer show "Under a Floral Spell." This group show features the work of 14 local artists and runs through August 31. I have three mixed media floral paintings on view, bursting with color and energy!