November 01, 2020

DIY SUGAR SKULL PAINTING PARTY

A DIY sugar skull painting party to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a great way to have fun with friends (pre and post-COVID). All you need for this project is styrofoam skulls, acrylic paint, brushes, Sharpie markers, friends and perhaps adult beverages. You could easily make this a virtual online party to stay safe.

Start with a styrofoam skull from a craft store.

Paint skull one color using acrylic paint. Paint teeth white.

Add fun detail using a Sharpie marker and paint your shapes. Flower and hearts add nice touches. When finished painting, add a fun touch to the eyes, like silk flowers. Just stick a straight pin through the flower and into the skull.

Admire the work of your friends.

 

 

At the end of the night, gather the partygoers' skulls together for a group shot.

Then, plan your next painting party!

xo, Merrill

 

October 28, 2020

FLOWER ARRANGING + PAINTING WORKSHOP

  

Fun mother-daughter birthday celebration for my wonderful bride-to-be daughter! This year, we chose to attend a flower arranging + floral painting workshop with Jennifer Designs and artist friend Jan Wier at Gallery222 in Malvern, PA. In the morning we arranged fall flowers, and in the afternoon we painted our arrangements in oils. The goal was to have fun and we succeeded!🌸💓🌸💓

 

 

 

Stay safe!. XO

October 26, 2020

NEW FLORAL PAINTING GREETING CARDS IN THE ETSY SHOP

I am happy to share that I have NEW FLORAL GREETING CARDS available in my Etsy shop, available HERE. These are cards from some of my most popular floral paintings. All greeting cards, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, can be found HERE.

"Girls on the Dance Floor"

"Sunny Beginnings"

"Showstopper" (as seen at the State Museum of Pennsylvania)

"All Dressed Up and Ready to Go"

Stay safe. XO

October 21, 2020

BETTY ANN GOES TO THE DANCE HAS A NEW HOME

"Betty Ann Goes to the Dance" has a new home, thanks to Square Pear Fine Art Gallery in Kennett Square, PA. 

This painting holds a special place in my heart as it's named after my sweet mother who adored music and dancing. 

Call your mom. xoxo

October 12, 2020

WEBER & WEBER 2020 SHOW AT VISUAL EXPANSION ART GALLERY

 

 

It's October! That means it's time for Weber & Weber 2020, a two person show at Visual Expansion Art Gallery in lovely downtown West Chester, Pennsylvania. 

My big mixed media floral paintings are on display through the month of October, as well as the whimsical animal oil paintings of artist friend, Karen Weber. Weber & Weber.

A few of my new bright florals on view at Visual Expansion Gallery

Left to right: Karen Weber, Visual Expansion Art Gallery owner Mary Manning and Merrill Weber

 

Here's Karen Weber with her whimsical animal oil paintings.

Visual Expansion Fine Art Gallery is open with safety precautions in place. Come see our paintings in person, at 132 N. High Street, West Chester, PA 19380! For directions to the gallery, click HERE.

May 13, 2020

COPING WITH CORONAVIRUS AS AN ARTIST

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.

May 11, 2020

INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN SOLO EXHIBITION AND COVID-19

Update: New dates for my solo exhibition are November 11 - 30, 2021.

This week, you should have been able to stroll through the Hutson Gallery at the Chester County Art Association in West Chester, PA, taking in the sight of over 50 oil paintings of fantastic women. My Inspirational Solo exhibition was scheduled three years ago. I knew then that I wanted to produce a collection that would make a difference. Instead, our planet is fighting a deadly virus.

For my solo, I chose to paint incredible, strong women. These are women who overcame hardships, broke records and blazed trails, shattering glass ceilings along the way.

As you may remember, this is the gallery where last year I showed the massive portrait of my son, “Polypharmacized: The Face of Autism,” created from over 1,200 prescription pill bottles --- and, "Pretty Boy," a male peacock cardboard dress modeled at the show's opening by the lovely drag queen, Amie Vanite. Both pieces, sending strong messages.

With the number of U.S. COVID-19 deaths exceeding 80,000, it is imperative that we protect one another by continuing to social distance. I will see your smiling faces when the skies clear. Sign up for my monthly newsletter to learn about new show dates. Be safe. xo