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Jo Merrill

Drawing, Painting, Visual / Media

When I retired, the #1 item on my “Someday List” was ‘take a watercolor class.’ So, I did.

My first instructor said, “You might become good at this, but you need to take a drawing class.“

So, I did…

Now - several classes, various workshops and lots of fun later, I am enjoying not only watercolor, but also different drawing media like graphite, charcoal, ink and pastel.

I love being in my painting space and challenging myself with new ideas and new subjects. It is so satisfying to discover ways of simplifying what I see and then to see the finished artwork framed and ready to hang!

I think art should be fun and I love to see people smiling when they view my artwork.

About the Artist

A 'late-in-life' painter, I took my first watercolor class in the early 2000s. My teacher told me that I could probably be good at this if I learned how to draw! A few drawing classes, more watercolor workshops, a portrait, figure, and pastel class here and there and I am loving it! As an active member in the St Michaels Art League, I have exhibited in several venues on Maryland's Eastern Shore. In 2012 I received the 25th Annual Brittain Banghart Award for drawing, painting, etching or sculpture depicting the human figure at the Academy Art Museum's Member's Show in Easton, Maryland. I have also been a featured artist in Metro Magazine of Salisbury and have had my work published in Journeys. In 2018 I illustrated a book titled "Thoughts froo my bench". A few years ago I began a blog in which I describe how I approach beginning a painting and illustrate the steps in the process. Visit my blog at jomerrillart.blogspot.com

Jo Merrill website View Website

Featured Work

Photos

This painting is my nephew's little boy patiently waiting for his first fish of the day. Such a peaceful scene. It is a 9x12 pastel on sanded paper
I have begun experimenting (playing) with acrylic pouring. This piece started out very differently. The bottom half was swiped and created amazing cells. I wiped off the top half and added more paint. Then the paper was tilted in several directions to create the background. I am imagining waves with a mountain scape in the background.
This is the latest of my Celebrate St Michaels Banners. For the past ten years I have painted "Mikey" (St MIchaels crab) doing something that would celebrate our area. Mikey wears different hats and hold various object. Some past themes have included: ice cream cone and baseball cap; anchor and sailor hat; paint brushes and beret... This is a watercolor and ink painting
I love the simplicity of this painting. It was drawn using a wooden matchstick carved to a point. Dipping it in ink and drawing with this gives an uneven line. I added watercolor washes to finish it.
This is a pastel painting with watercolor underpainting. It is from a photograph of a box of tomatoes ready to go to the farmer's market in Montpelier, VT. MY son is an organic farmer and grows beautiful vegetables! I was struck by how these fit into the box...and that there was one turned over.
This is a photo of the cover of a book that I illustrated. It contains over 30 watercolor and ink sketches. Each chapter begins with an illustration. The book is a collection of poetic essays about the author's road to healing after the death of her husband. It is available on Amazon. (I also have copies for sale)