Chad Merrill – Interviewed by Ava Dennis
“I’d like to tell you a little about how I started painting. Last year around October while I was in ad-seg I got a book on how to draw portraits and gave it a shot. I quickly found out that using just a pen wasn’t going to cut it. At the same time, I was/am getting into Art History and felt/feel inspired to paint, so I took bristles from my toothbrush and made a bunch of different size paint brushes and blew pen ink out of the pens I had and set out to be a good painter. So many times I wanted to quit but seeing paintings by S. Dali, J.H Fusili, G. Corbet, G. Klimt, to name a few always kept me motivated. Every painting I do I ALWAYS start with the eyes because I think they are the most important piece, then I move on. It’s been a little over a year now, and I’m trying out different styles of portraits and am no longer afraid to show my own twist to them.”
“Whenever I sit down to paint with my junky paintbrush and pen ink I’m transported out of this cell and am totally consumed with filling that piece of paper full of my emotions, my stress, anxiety, fear, love, etc. I’m able to let it all out with each little stroke and it never fails to surprise me when I’m finished at how cool it comes out. I’m completely in love with painting. Thank you for allowing me to “set free” each portrait I do. It’s stupid but I like to think that just because I’m in here it doesn’t mean they have to be as well.” – Chad Merrill
Read more about Chad here.
I’m so grateful for everybody at JAC, all the interns and the people I don’t see who do so much for us. I’m so proud to be part of this team and I am so appreciative that I have a place to create in.If there’s anythng I can do to help further the goals of JAC, just let me know, you know where to find me 😉
Sincerely, Chad