Artist at the Plaza Art Gallery: Merry Crook

Come meet one of Paris, Texas own artist:
Merry Crook
My appreciation for art began at a very young age while visiting with my aunt in Oklahoma who was an oil painter herself. I loved the Indians and western themes she expressed in each and every piece. So I started drawing teepees and Indian scenes along the rivers of my imagination, getting my first pastels when I was 6 years old.

I majored in art in high school and took afternoon classes at the “Y”, then ventured into other avenues of learning for much of my adult life. I can honestly say I have been “self taught” in many areas. I studied for 4 semesters at Goldenwest College in Huntington Beach, California taking life drawing classes and oil painting and 2 semesters of anatomy, studies through the Getty Museum in Anaheim, California and private classes on occasion. I have returned to my native Texas after an “extended visit” in California and now live In Reno with my husband and 2 daughters and grandson near by.

My most recent competition was at The Red River Valley Fair in 2008 for which I earned 2 1st Place ribbons and Reserve Champion Honor. I entered and was accepted for Exhibition for the Orange County Fair, California in August, 2007and won 3rd place among over 200 entries. This was my first competition. Jack King, a nationally known artist and instructor, was the Judge for the Fullerton, California Guggenheim Gallery Competition where I won 3rd place once again where over 100 artists were represented. I have also entered and received numerous 1st and 2nd place ribbons in smaller exhibits in California. Some of my paintings reside now in private collections in California, Georgia, South Carolina and Houston, Texas as well as locally in Paris and Reno, Texas.

While my paintings are not “literal” I love painting the human figure and silent narratives of my childhood in Texas and Louisiana. Much of my work is ethnic. Sautine, Modigliani, Toulouse-Lautrec and Van Gogh have been my inspiration as well as the teachers and students I have worked with over the years. I hope you enjoy my work as much as I enjoy the Art of Painting and that my interpretation of all things beautiful will delight you.