Daniel Merriam: « The stage is my easel »

Interview of Daniel Merriam by Julie Cadilhac – bscnews.fr/ Where did you grow up? Do you think your childhood was instrumental in the maturation of your art? Which period(s) of your life influenced your paintbrush the most?

I grew up in Maine. I was born in York Harbor, a small fishing village with a thriving summer tourist scene. The area attracts scores of artists because of its rustic qualities and old-world charm. We had plenty of exposure to art in the region. In fact, the expectations of art were set pretty high because of the thriving local arts and its academic background. As a child I saw some of the finest examples of original modern art of our time. They amazed me so that I was compelled to master the skills of artistry even as a young boy. Maine is also quite rural, so navigating the woods came natural to me. I would walk for miles alone without a compass or a road to follow. As much as I knew the land, I was master of the waters as well. Between sailing, fishing and diving I had spent as much time in the water as I did out.My world was fashioned from the rawness of nature’s reality and the fanciful treatments of my perception. My connection to nature undoubtedly is engrained in shapes and patterns within my art. Both my family and our community possessed a whimsical quality that remains in my art to this day. I would have to say my childhood is what inspired my art the most.

Where do you live today? Are you rather a city or a country person?

I live across the bay from San Francisco in the small town of Sausalito. I can see the city from my studio but I have to cross the Golden Gate Bridge to get there. Over the years I have lived in many places across the United States and I …