The Good Life of an Artist
art BLOG
I'm Merrill Weber, and this is where I share my life as an artist – the good, the challenging, and the colorful! Come explore "The Good Life of an Artist" with me.
PORTRAIT OF MY MOTHER, DE YOUNG MUSEUM, PICTURES OF PEOPLE EXHIBITION
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.
MEET THE INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN: NOT ALL ARE FAMOUS
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.
INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN: ART EXHIBITION
A collection of more than 50 oil painting portraits of incredible, strong women, four years in the making.
NEW ENGLAND SAILING AND CIVIC PRUNING AT THE J.M. BYRON HOUSE
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.
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.
Red Nook in Paris: Painting a Room Full of Character
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 and BEST CROISSANTS IN PARIS!
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.
ANGELINA'S HOT CHOCOLATE IN PARIS AND FAMILY
No trip to Paris is complete without enjoying the famous hot chocolate at Angelina, the 1903 tea house on Rue de Rivoli.
FLOWER ARRANGING + PAINTING WORKSHOP
Fun mother-daughter birthday celebration for my wonderful bride-to-be daughter!
INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN SOLO EXHIBITION AND COVID-19
My Inspirational Solo exhibition was scheduled three years ago. I knew then that I wanted to produce a collection that would make a difference.
BIG FLORAL PAINTINGS ON VIEW AT STEEL CITY IN PHOENIXVILLE, PA
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?
ART STUDIO VISITS
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.
A PICTORIAL OF THE 2019 CHESTER COUNTY STUDIO TOUR
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
ARTIST GIRLFRIENDS WHO LUNCH + GORGEOUS POTTERY
UPDATE: Bonnie Ann Burnett left this world too soon. RIP, Bonnie Ann. You are missed. xo It's a parking lot pop-up show! This is what happens when artist girlfriends go to lunch and one mentions that she has two boxes of her GORGEOUS pottery in her car. We all go running!
THE JOY OF SUMMER ART EXHIBITION AT SQUARE PEAR FINE ART GALLERY
There was a great turnout on August 2, 2019 for "The Joy of Summer" group art exhibition at Square Pear Fine Art Gallery in picturesque Kennett Square, PA.
THE MAKING OF PRETTY BOY, RECYCLED CARDBOARD MALE PEACOCK DRESS
After a recent trip to Mexico, where gorgeous male peacocks turned in circles fanning their feathers, I knew that my entry would be a male peacock dress.
INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN SOLO EXHIBITION
I am thrilled to be painting a series of Inspirational Women --- these are incredible women who overcame hardships, broke records and blazed trails, shattering glass ceilings along the way.
PRIZE WINNING MIXED MEDIA PAINTING, A CUT ABOVE
I am happy to share that "A Cut Above" was awarded the 3rd place honor during the 3rd Annual Juried Show: Mixed Media at the Bethlehem House Contemporary Art Gallery in historic downtown Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
THE 2019 VOTES ARE IN, FAVORITE CHESTER COUNTY STUDIO TOUR ARTIST
The votes are in! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for voting me your favorite Chester County Studio Tour artist for the second year in a row! The competition was steep, with 143 talented, professional artists.
46th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR INVITATIONAL FINE ART SHOW AND SALE A BIG SUCCESS
The energy of the crowd was electric at this year's preview party for the 46th Annual Academy of Notre Dame de Namur Invitational Fine Art Show and Sale in Villanova, PA. Hundreds of art enthusiasts graced the Tudor Revival-style mansion built in 1893.