Alison Merritt
My artwork focuses on three things: the human figure, flowers, and the ever-changing nature of both.
The human figure has been a theme in my artwork since the beginning. The form has morphed and changed throughout the years but always reflecting different aspects of the human condition. I have recently become interested in flowers not only for aesthetic purposes but also for their symbolic properties. The meaning can vary drastically across cultures; flowers can be used to celebrate, send sympathy, or express love. I use a mixed media approach to create my pieces, which means I use multiple supplies and techniques for each piece. I have been experimenting more in collage, as the idea of putting the pieces back together has meant something to me lately. Every collage piece is hand-painted by me. I also use a variety of acrylic paint, markers, watercolor, ink, and pens. As I age and go through life’s inevitable ups and downs, I am constantly reminded that nothing in life is static. All our broken pieces find a way back together. We all find times when we collapse and are buried. Yet we all continue to look for a way to rebuild, grow, and be reborn. “I was so much older then, I am younger than that now” -Bob Dylan |