Suzanne Merritt’s art is created through a process of painting and fusing, layer upon layer of molten wax, resin, and pigment—as many as thirty layers go into each painting. The luminosity of wax on wood allows the viewer to see beneath the surface, creating a depth and mystery in many of her pieces. She often embeds gems, sheet music, and book pages beneath the wax, as well as silver and gold leaf overlays. The combination of smooth-as-glass finishes next to torched edges and loose brush strokes enhances the visual and tactile sensation of her paintings.
I’m Suzanne Merritt, artist, daydreamer and night owl, working in encaustics, an ancient Greco-Roman art form consisting of beeswax, resin, and pigment, which dates back to the 5th century B.C.E.
The coastline close to my home in Southern California is the focus of my Ocean Sky Series; the inner world of dreams and intuition, the inspiration for my Oracle Series abstractions. I show and sell my work in in the U.S. and abroad and also hold one-on-one and group workshops.
Feel free to message me with any questions you may have about shows, commissioning a painting, or scheduling a workshop.
~Thanks and have a fabulous day
Art Workshops & Retreats with Suzanne Merritt
Join me for an exploration of encaustics where you'll gain knowledge and skill using this versatile medium. I'll cover safety practices and the foundations of encaustic, as well as a wide range of techniques, such as: Creating a gorgeous shellac burn, embedding elements into resin and wax, achieving a smooth finish, image transfer techniques, accretion and incising, and adding mixed media, such as paper, oil, and pastel. Each workshop is based on skill level and tailored to whatever techniques you're most interested to learn.
Beyond techniques specific to encaustic, I'll spend time focusing on color, design, composition, and content to help guide you to find your own individual style.
My workshops are set up for all skill levels. So, if you’re new to encaustic, you'll leave with a strong overview of the medium, along with some finished pieces! For those who’ve worked with encaustics before, my workshops are designed to push your work to the next level.
I’d love to collaborate with you to make you a beautiful original work of art!
If you have an idea for a painting, or if you would like me to a create a work similar to something I’ve already sold, I am happy to collaborate with your specific creative input in mind.
The design process for a commissioned painting starts with discussions about elements such as content, color, size, and themes. I also may include sketches, if need be, until our shared vision crystallizes. Once the painting begins, I’ll send snapshots of each stage as the painting progresses, if you’d like.
I’ve collaborated on a variety of original works, ranging from monochromatic abstracts to cool-blue ocean themes, landscapes, as well as figurative work. Meaningful ephemera, such as maps, letters, and photographs—or even shells and gems—can also be embedded into pieces and preserved forever. Whatever you desire, your commissioned piece of art begins with a conversation that flows throughout the process until the painting is complete.
For more information and to schedule a consultation, please message me here and let’s get started!
A 50% deposit is required to begin a commissioned painting and final payment due upon delivery. Shipping rates separate.
