About: Artist Merle Keller

My primary interest as an artist is in the visual expression of common, everyday scenarios in which characters act out a story. The subject matter reflects my own life experience and is thus very personal and sometimes autobiographical. Among my main influences are 20th-century realism and 19th-century traditionalism. My most recent work is reminiscent of Impressionism and is strongly influenced by Degas, Sorolla and Cassatt.

Among my favorite subjects are the beaches of Southern California and urban landscapes in Los Angeles and New York. I love to incorporate the human figure in these settings. Portraits and animals continue to be subjects that fascinate me. I want my paintings to imply a question and to evoke an emotion. The imagery and color will ideally create a dimension beyond the surface and compel the viewer to infer a deeper message.

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