Self portrait 

Kelsey Merkle is an artist and illustrator born and raised in Clarence NY, where she currently lives and works.

Merkle grew up admiring her grandmother, June Pearl, who was a talented artist in her own right. From an early age, Pearl saw an artistic spark in her granddaughter and enrolled her in private classes as soon as she was eligible at the age of seven. Merkle pursued the study of art at Sheridan College, one of the top art schools in North America. Merkle holds an Associates in Visual and Creative Arts and a Bachelors degree in Illustration, both of which she graduated from top of her class. She was also invited to study Italian Art and Culture in Italy during the summer of her junior year of Illustration. Since 2010 Merkle has been professionally displaying at various art galleries and events in the US and abroad.

Merkle is primarily a portrait painter, but she works in a wide variety of media, styles, and subject matter. She often blends multiple medias and techniques saying, “How do you know what you like to do unless you try a bit of everything?”

Education

2016      Bachelor of Illustration, Sheridan College

2012      Visual and Creative Arts College Diploma, Sheridan College

Group Exhibitions

DEC 2016      First Fridays, MJ Peterson Real Estate, Buffalo NY

APR 2016       The Neighborhood, Sheridan Illustration Grad Show, Toronto ON

SEP 2014        Buffalo Society of Artists 118th Catalogue Exhibition, Hi-Temp Fabrication Gallery: Buffalo NY

JULY 2014      Niagara Frontier Art Exhibit, Keenan Center: Lockport NY

OCT 2012       20th Annual WNY Artists Regional Exhibition, Art Dialogue Gallery: Buffalo NY

FEB 2012        WNY Young Artist’s Exhibition, Impact Artists Gallery: Buffalo NY

APR 2012       Visual & Creative Arts 2012 Grad Show, Marquee: Oakville ON

MAY 2010      Young Curators Show, Albright Knox, Buffalo NY

APR 2010       Young Woman’s Exhibition, Impact Artists Gallery: Buffalo NY

PubliCATION

NOV/DEC 2014 | Vol 29 | #5      Applied Arts Magazine – Student Awards