Originally from Texas, Roger Merritt was influenced in art at an early age by his mother, who was an exquisite artist in her own right. Merritt moved with his family to Caracas, Venezuela in 1956 and began painting under the tutelage of the famous mural painter, Pedro Centena. Merritt was influenced by the brilliant colors predominant in South American culture which etched a lasting impression that is still evident in his work today.
Merritt received his Masters of Fine Arts degree in Art & Painting/Art Education from the prestigious New York University. After graduating, Merritt became one of the early Soho Pioneers in the 1970’s. While living in New York City, Merritt was legally registered as an AIR (Artist in Residence) converting two lofts in Soho (the avant garde art district of New York City) from factory spaces into livable living and art studio space.
Merritt was greatly influenced by his neighbor and mentor, Chuck Close as well as many other famous New York artists with whom he had friendships, including: Don Eddy, John Bader, Andy Warhol, James Rosenquist, Robert Raushenberg, Charles Ross, Ivan Karp, the owner of the O.K. Harris Gallery and many others. Merritt’s career in New York City spans a 40 year period as an artist, graphic artist, illustrator, photographer and art director. He has worked in advertising on Madison Avenue on national ad campaigns, as well as in the motion picture industry.
In 1990 Merritt began doing art work based on Native American Culture, having just discovered his great grandmother, Lucy Guntharp, was full blood Cherokee. Merritt believes one of the most important things about being an artist is to know who you are and where you came from. The new knowledge of his Native Heritage added a whole new perspective about how he thought about himself, others, and his art work.
In 1996 Merritt returned to his family's home in Scottsdale, Arizona to be closer to family and to pursue what seems to be a spiritual quest to continue to learn more about his Native Heritage and to focus his Art on depicting Native American Culture in a positive way, hoping to relate a wonderful closeness to nature and the natural spirituality that once existed that has almost, if not entirely, been forgotten.
The scope of Merritt’s work extends from murals, commissioned paintings for “upper tier” residences, private gallery showings, sculpture, painting, and landscape design. Having painted exquisite murals in commercial as well as private residences, his conversion of a simple stone
or plaster wall into a multi-dimensional scape which adds depth, warmth and atmosphere is amazing to witness.
Merritt’s work is all-encompassing, which allows his clients to verbalize their vision and participate in the creative process, transforming their vision into a reality. Whether Inuenced by Western design, Tropical scapes, Tuscan motifs or things of a Personal nature, the atmosphere changes into something that stirs the soul. Merritt’s work seems to reflect a deep connection between spiritual and heroic elements, blending the mystical with the modern. By painting spirits uniting and super heroes, he symbolizes the strength, resilience and interconnectedness of the human spirit. His use of bright colors likely draws from indigenous traditions, infusing his art with cultural significance and vibrant energy. His pieces may represent the power of community, heritage and the extraordinary potential within each individual, showing how the spiritual and heroic coexist within us all.
Currently Merritt continues to design art for commercial business and shows in galleries in OLD TOWN Scottsdale and in Santa Fe, New Mexico, bringing his concept of contemporary western art in a POP Art style.
