March 08, 2021

NEW ENGLAND SAILING AND CIVIC PRUNING AT THE J.M. BYRON HOUSE

A painting of a salty sea dog adorns my bathroom wall, keeping me company while I shower. I stumbled upon him in an odd vintage shop on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake, a stone’s throw from the marina where we docked our boat.

 

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.

 

Once safe and sound on a mooring on Block Island, we rented a scooter and tooled about the island, enjoying freshly caught seafood on a whim. Each morning, we would hear, “Andiamo . . . andiamoooooo,” which meant an Aldo's Bakery boat was coming around to bring fresh pastries and hot coffee right to our boat.

The New England adventure continues with the artfully styled interiors of The J.M. Byron House. Every happy photo on their Instagram feed is painting-worthy. In the end, yellow forsythia against multiple shades of blue won me over. I paint room interiors that make me want to be there. This is most definitely one.

Many thanks to the The J.M. Byron House for allowing me to paint their living room. Their Instagram post stated, "Forcing forsythia is a fun way to jumpstart spring in your house. Just remember to ask for permission before cutting down your neighbors’ forsythia hedges." #civicpruning 

 

"Yellow Forsythia in New England," 6x6-inches, oil on Museum Gessobord. One in a series of room interior oil paintings by Merrill Weber.  

 

Personal style is a journey - not a destination.  One that takes a lifetime.

 

Thank you for sharing my adventure.

 

xo,

 

Merrill 

March 01, 2021

THE ECLECTIC NEW YORK CITY HOME OF JOHN DERIAN

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. From 1958, Ed and Ruth Frost lived in the parlor on the ground floor and rented the seven apartments upstairs to only people in the arts. In the article we get to know several of the tenants, what they create and their distinct decorating styles.

I pumped the brakes when I read how one tenant had “transformed his duplex into a nest of elegant, John Derian-inflected whimsy.” Serendipity, as I only just finished an oil painting of John Derian’s dining room wall, "Pink Peonies in the East Village." 

"Pink Peonies in the East Village," 6x6 oil painting

John Derian is beloved for his home accessories decoupaged with vintage illustrations that are sold in more than 600 retailers worldwide. He is the owner of four John Derian Company retail stores and has now co-introduced a line of menswear featuring some of his charming prints. Many thanks to John Derian for sharing his space.

February 27, 2021

PAINTING A SERIES, RED NOOK IN PARIS ROOM INTERIOR OIL PAINTING

 

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. The boldly executed red nook is full of warmth and character. 📷 credit: @paris_chic_home

I enjoy painting a series or collection, which might be inspirational women, flowers, animals and anything or one that/who piques my interest. Red Nook is one of a Paris-inspired series that was the impetus for my now series of room interiors.

 

Red Nook in Paris is one in a series of room interior oil paintings. 6x6-inches, oil on museum gessobord.

January 30, 2021

HAPPY NATIONAL CROISSANT DAY and BEST CROISSANTS IN PARIS!

"Le Petit Dejeuner, 5x7-inches, oil on Gessobord

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. My all-time favorite is the pain au chocolat, a buttery croissant dough folded around dark chocolate. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it. 

Renowned Chef David Lebovitz (if you’re a fellow cook book collector, check out his. “My Paris Kitchen” is a fave! I’ll talk about my 9’ floor-to-ceiling collection of cook books another time) named Maison Landemaine best croissant in Paris! 

My croissant travel checklist includes creations by: 

• Maison Pichard 
• Café Pouchkine Paris 
• Stohrer 
• Laurent Duchêne Paris 
• Du Pain et des Idée
• La Maison d’Isabelle

I cannot wait to return to Paris.

Until then, 

Merrill XO 

Le Petit Dejeuner is one in a series of Paris-inspired oil paintings

January 24, 2021

ANGELINA'S HOT CHOCOLATE IN PARIS AND FAMILY

 

I've been working day and night on a series of Paris-inspired oil paintings, in remembrance of my sweet mom. My mother adored everything French! She was delighted to celebrate her 70th birthday in Paris with her daughters, her first and only trip to the City of Lights. 

No trip to Paris is complete without enjoying the famous hot chocolate at Angelina, the 1903 tea house on Rue de Rivoli. Angelina’s hot chocolate, or le chocolat chaud, is so smooth and velvety. The secret recipe includes African cocoa from Niger, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. A sophisticated experience elevated even more when enjoyed with family. Our sweet mother adored Angelina.

 8x8-inches, oil on Gessobord. Available.

 

Stay safe. XO, 

Merrill  

© 2021 Merrill Weber Art LLC

 

November 26, 2020

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

 

Thanksgiving can be hard. Please know it's okay for your heart to be filled with grief and gratitude at the same time.

The holidays are not just good or bad, happy or sad. They are both. There is joy. There is pain. There is grief. There is gratitude.

And there is YOU, right in the middle of it all. Wrap your tender heart in love and know that is why you are here. For hope and ache. Happiness and grief. The future and the past. Today and tomorrow.

I am so grateful for you. HAPPY THANKSGIVING, with love, today and always.

XO,

Merrill (who is really missing her mom)

November 25, 2020

MY LOVE FOR BLUE AND WHITE CHINA

My mother and the women who raised her can be credited for my love affair with cobalt blue and white china. As a little girl, I remember sitting in the breakfast nook in the New York house where my mom grew up, eating cookies with pink and chocolate centers served on small blue and white plates. The pitcher's pattern is Blue Willow, and the fable ends with lovers transforming into doves [after being murdered]. More about the story is HERE. 

Creating a 6x6-inch oil painting of this little blue and white pitcher of flowers was a joy! Purchase information can be found HERE.

  

Stay safe. XO, 

Merrill  

©Merrill Weber 2020