Helen Merrick was born and raised in Hardinsburg, Kentucky, until the curious and driven age of seventeen when she moved to Louisville. She has resided in Louisville for most of her adult life, is married and has two children. Helen started exercising her artistic abilities in oil painting 25 years ago. After her children were grown, she pursued her education in art, studying under various teachers, either as part of a group workshop, or sometimes individually. She enjoyed painting during her travels, but, since oil is difficult to travel with, switched to pastels for plein air painting. She also enjoys painting with acrylics. As time progressed, she discovered watercolor, a medium of which the “freshness” appealed to her. Since then, she has been diligently studying in workshops, reading a variety of watercolor-related literature, and seeking out other educational resources.
Helen Merrick is a member of several local and regional affiliate groups, including the Kentucky Watercolor Society (KWS). Helen exhibits in galleries, art shows and on her website. Many of her oil and watercolor paintings are in private collections, and she is currently working on commissioned paintings in watercolor.
Influences:
Aside from her moments of divine inspiration, which are always the most influential to her, Helen Merrick has found much inspiration in taking workshops with a multitude of local, national and international artists. Sara Roush got her started painting in watercolor, and has given her endless inspiration. She has been a great art mentor and friend.
Helen has taken from Steven Blackburn, Pat Weaver, Joe Fettingis, the very famous and highly regarded Mary Whyte, Don Getz and Mel Stabin.
Some Achievements:
1st place at the Kentucky State Fair in the Watercolor Mixed Media Division for "Jack, Jr.", her brother's baby donkey, she painted in "hot colors". 2nd place at the Kentucky State Fair for an oil portrait of her brother, titled "My Brother". 1st place in the Mini Wonder Show in the Kentucky Watercolor Exhibit at the KWS Gallery in the Mellwood Art and Entertainment Center in September, 2006. 2nd place in the KWS All Member Show for her watercolor portrait of a refugee in Nigeria, titled "Refugee". Honorable Mention in CKAG's show in Elizabethtown for an experimental piece in watercolor painted on gessoed paper, titled "Visitors in the Garden". Was juried into the 2007 KWS Aquaventure Show at Jewish Community Center. For three years, she has continued to participate in the Project Women art event to help single mothers get an education, and was juried into the show each year called "Women of Wisdom". Donated multiple oil and watercolor paintings, in addition to some giclees, all to be auctioned off as proceeds for different charities, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Kentucky, Sister Visitor Program, Christmas Bazaar at St. James Episcopal Church in PeeWee Valley. Was published in Arts Across Kentucky from a plein air painting excursion with KWS at the historical Doe Run Inn. Was commissioned to do oil portraits of political figures to then be published in a book on political commentary called "The Coalition of the Willing and the Irrelevant Others" written by Hugh Fletcher and Walter Searcy.