Merrie Jo Snow
BFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
I received my BFA in Painting and Drawing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). I also studied Conceptual Landscape Painting at Ox-bow School of Art. Prior to attending SAIC I studied sculpture, painting and drawing at Portland State and Marylhurst University.
I think of my work as landscape based, with an increasing focus on geometric shapes and composition. I enjoy experimenting with a variety of paints including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, pencil, and charcoal.
I was introduced to printmaking at SAIC. My painting and printmaking are closely related, forming a complete picture of my work.
I have participated in numerous juried art competitions in Florida at the Naples Art Association Von Liebig Art Center, Naples and at Big Arts, Sanibel. Most recently, my painting "Blue on Top" was awarded Juror's Choice at the Waimea Art Council Abstractions and Distractions Show at the Firehouse Gallery, Waimea, HI. My work is currently available for sale online.
Shows and Exhibitions
"Abstractions & Distractions"
Firehouse Gallery, Waimea, HI
March 1 - March 31, 2024
"Artists for Lahaina"
Disaster Recovery Online Auction
September 15 to 24, 2023
"Huaka'i All Island Hawaii Juried Art Competition"
Firehouse Gallery, Waimea, HI
July 1-August 28, 2022
Painting
I enjoy painting on location and in the studio. My focus is on creating a good composition with interesting shapes and colors. I try to express a moment in time, rather than create a realistic painting. I blur the paint to create a unified surface and build and scrape the painting with my palette knife to create interest and depth.
Printmaking
I create monotype prints on a large format Takach press using etching inks. The process involves painting a reverse image on plexiglass using brushes, rollers and palette knives. The plexiglass plate is placed on the press bed, a sheet of BFK Rives paper placed on top of it, and then run through the press creating a unique print. I find that printmaking and painting are closely related and I like to work on one image both on the Takach press and in paint on canvas.
