About

PETALS: [in-studio] Florals, some montaged.

MINIATURES: A variety of artistic pieces in small professionally-made picture frames (all are glassed and ready to hang, some also have easel-backs for desk display). Here you’ll find collages with different colored paper elements; collages with black and white cut or torn papers (from original photographic images or from original black ink paintings; and original sumi-e black ink paintings.

Hint: A grouping of these would make a great gallery wall display…

SHAKER BOX ASSEMBLAGES: Collage with a variety of hand-cut paper watercolor illustrations, vintage handmade papers and such on beautiful handmade Shaker boxes. Lined in Ultrasuede with  trinkets and other surprises inside.

SILHOUETTE: Not my typical thing, but a newfound interest – black and white tress and branches.

STERLINGWOOD TREES: To capture feelings of peace and tranquility in the midst of this crazy frantic world we live in - and photograph the personalities and textures of the botanical world in my neighborhood.

[archives] EURO/CUBA: From local urban views, to the Mediterranean and beautiful villages of Provence, to Venice and Burano, Cuba, and Portugal, my work evolved into an eclectic mix of art and documentary photography. I loved to “catch the vibe” in new locations, capturing images spontaneously.

Back in my studio, imagery then became an artistic rendering of city/land/streetscapes, architectural details, textures, entropy, patina, and “street” portraits. Each photograph was processed individually, uniquely. All are natural light, documentary-style, captured moments (not “staged”) - reality with a twist.

Testimonials

"The American artist Jill Merriam performs photographic projects that articulate a documentary approach with contemporary aesthetic references. Her work does not aim to pure or distanced observation of a subject, but the mutual dependence between the context and creation. The artist works with a variety of atmospheres; lights and shades are manipulated and generate compositions that refer to nostalgia and romanticism."

José Roberto Moreira - Curator and Gallerist, Colorida Galeria de Arte in Lisbon, Portugal

[Jeffery Becton re: new architectural photomontage] Really nice work.

[Elizabeth Caffrey, re: analog collage] Your art is magical!!

[from a LensCulture portfolio review] ... painterly quality… has lines that are almost brush strokes… painterly quality where the sky looks as though it’s a watercolor… You go in between realism to photos that are altered… There are so many rich textures and colors I feel like I am there. Wonderful job!

[Doug Menuez comment re: new digitally montaged mannequin images] Just brilliant, the whole series.

[MB Murr] Love your use of colors and textures in all of your pictures, such a good eye for that crispness too.

[Daniel Caruso, Agency Access] …Loved the Be Still gallery. Absolutely stunning!

[George Bang, comment on an Instagram post] Without the caption I would know that these photos are yours. You have a unique eye for form and color.

[George Bang] I so admire your work. It is so distinctive and individual.

[Jo Stone re: new 'maginings' macros] That's just beautiful. I knew you were doing photography but this is well beyond mere photography.

[Jo Fronfelter] It looks like a painting!

[Saurabh Gupta] They don't look like photographs!

[Dan Winter] Very, very impressive. I love the way you express the scenery in the "Inside Stories" series, and I especially love the Meet Sabine, Et Al series. The pictures are moody, mysterious and captivating.

[Christian Culver] Your work is simply sublime in so many ways.

(Kris Martin) Beautiful, beautiful work!  You are so talented!!!

[Elizabeth Howard] The pictures are beautiful. You have such a wonderful creative eye and capture the moment.

[Kay Adams] As usual -- STUPENDOUS -- as in really, really beautiful -- such grit, such soul, such beauty . . .

[John Mason] I think your two Cuba Crumbling Elegance series are simply wonderful. I have been through them again and again and just love how you have painted the people, the architecture, and the culture with your lens, your eye, and your post processing.

[Denis Kelly] This is beautiful work. I was concerned at first that it was going to be too manipulated and stylized but you struck a balance with fine straight photographs. The details of human integration in society with “crumbling elegance”, high density, vibrant and faded color, life and back ground matter, all spoke eloquently.

[Michael Chinnici] Her creative use of layers, colors and textures sets her work apart. She is a perfect example of a photographer who can turn an ordinary image into an extraordinary image.

[David Gibson] …Looked at some of your work too. Very distinctive style and mostly not reliant on people in the pics which is interesting…but done well.

[Brenda Tharp] You have a very unique processing for your images.

[Ali Mohammed] …you can take something so simple, and make it so beautiful.

[Kay Adams ] The passion you have for your art speaks volumes, Jill. Absolutely beautiful work . . . Your photography is most engaging and beautifully composed!!

[Mythili Rajaraman] It looks like a painting.

[Lorne Resnick] "Jill Magic"

[Artblend] ...your diverse collection of work and eclectic style...Your photography is very unique... I'm drawn to the urban, "in the moment" vibe that I get from your photos.