Hello, I'm Merritt—a Catholic artist and educator based in Kansas City who believes beauty has the power to draw us toward truth, goodness, and ultimately, toward the Lord. My work is rooted in the exploration of the intertwining of faith and art, and I strive to create pieces that invite wonder, contemplation, humanity, and hope.

I earned bachelor's degrees in Art and Theology from Benedictine College before completing a Master of Arts in Studio Practice for Art Educators at Teachers College, Columbia University. After several formative years teaching elementary art at an inner-city charter school in the Bronx, I returned home to Kansas City, where I now teach high school drawing, painting, architecture, and design along with my own art endeavors.

Although painting is my primary medium, I've never been very good at staying in just one lane. Much like my students, I'm constantly drawn to explore new materials, processes, and creative disciplines. I am most familiar with painting, drawing, sculpture, embroidery and recently have even began to venture into the world of publishing.

Over the years, I've learned that the more I teach, the more I remain a student. I believe deeply in the wisdom of practicing what I preach—continuing to make my own work, embrace creative risks, and cultivate a life of learning alongside my students. My studio practice and my classroom continually shape one another, constantly leading me to ask more questions, and seek more answers.

At the heart of everything I create is a desire to share the beauty of the human experience that has so profoundly captivated my own heart—a beauty too moving to keep to myself. Whether through original artwork, workshops, teaching, writing, or future creative endeavors, my hope is to cultivate spaces where others feel invited to slow down, pay attention, and create. Not simply to produce beautiful things, but to discover, through the creative process itself, something of the heart of their Creator.

Whether you're looking for artwork that brings beauty into your home, a meaningful gift, opportunities to grow as an artist, or simply a bit of creative encouragement, I'm grateful you're here. My hope is that, in some small way, my work helps awaken and satisfy the longing for beauty that God has placed within every human heart.

Xo,