Hello. My name is Pamela Merrick. I am an artist born and raised in Baltimore, MD. I did not receive a formal art based education but I prefer not to refer to myself as self-taught. I owe a debt of gratitude to the many artist and educators online who shared their knowledge through YouTube videos and books and, yes there was a great deal of learning on my own.

There is no end to the discussions about why and how art should be created or what should even be considered art. I am of the belief that there are many very valid reasons for creating art. I create because the urge to add something beautiful to our world is just too compelling. I have an immense appreciation for the many people around the world who make our world a more beautiful and enriching place with their music, poetry, literature, architecture, fashion, movies, cooking and countless other forms of artistic expression. I want to be one of those people who also contributes to the enjoyment of our shared world.

I create because it is so wonderfully fulfilling to know that something I created may have lifted someone's spirit, given them strength, inspired and encouraged them, or simply put a smile on their face, even if just for one day. Everything I create, I create with love and good intention in my heart. I believe that is transferred into my work and I hope that my work can be a blessing to whoever comes across it.

Sometimes I paint because I have something meaningful to say. Sometimes I paint as a way to document a memory like a page in a journal. Sometimes I paint things that are simply pretty or cool. I believe art has value whether it is deep and meaningful or if it is just nice to look at. I've never seen anyone complain that a rose garden wasn't philosophical enough to justify it's existence. Is it not a popular saying that we should stop and smell the roses? Life, and art for that matter, is meant to be enjoyed.

There is so much going on in the world that illicits fear, anxiety, and sorrow. There are more than enough people highlighting the difficulties in life. I hope to draw your attention to gratitude, hope, faith, love, kindness and all of the beautiful possibilities in life.

I paint because I am fascinated with the idea of manifesting something that once only existed in my mind but now can be touched, admired, and bring people together. I create because God is a creator and I strive to be like Him. Whether you believe in God or not shouldn't stop you from enjoying the work, but for me creating is a time of mindfulness and a reminder that I am made in God's image.

My artwork is inspired by a desire to imagine the world in it's ideal state of abundance, beauty, and harmony. My work is also inspired by my belief that all of humanity needs one another to thrive. Humans are not meant to survive; we are meant to thrive. I believe that we can only thrive when we value the unique contributions that each of us has to offer and combine our skills, our knowledge and our perspectives for the benefit of all. Only when we value and honor even the, so called, least of us [in truth we are all equal] can we all be great. We need each other no matter what our differences may be. We need every plant animal and insect. All of creation is stronger together. That belief is a common theme that is woven into all of my work. I paint my love for nature and all of God's creations.

At the end of the day it doesn't matter why I create what I create. What matters is what you get out of it. Whether or not you become a collector of my work I hope your day is made a little brighter from viewing it. I wish for you to have a wonderful and blessed life. If no one else tells you, please know that you are so valuable and this world is a better place because you are in it. Everything that makes you who you are is beautiful. You are masterfully and wonderfully created by the greatest creator of all.