Michelle Merritt

Michelle Merritt is a realism artist based in Houston, Texas, known for using charcoal and mixed media to create detailed portrait drawings. As a child, Michelle drew and created craft projects in all her spare time. Her high school art classes helped her explore her passion for drawing, which led to winning art competitions, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, art auctions, and scholarships. During college, Michelle continued to draw while earning a BS in Architecture and a BA in Mathematics from the University of Texas in Austin. 
Now back in Houston, Michelle's obsession with drawing people continues- capturing the subject, and adding personal touches to bring them to life. Her portraits are created through a rich contrast of highlights and shadows that mimic the lightness and darkness that we experience as humans on a daily basis. 
Her current body of work uses charcoal to explore vulnerability, strength, femininity, working through our shadows, and finding a glimmer of hope even in the darkest of times. After this year with a global pandemic, tragedy, and calls for social and racial justice, we have become more aware of the importance of self-care and mental health. Michelle is interested in how we work through o...

Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
University of Texas (Austin) | Class of 2013

Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies
University of Texas (Austin) | Class of 2013

UX Design Apprenticeship
Bloc, Inc. (remote) | 2017 - 2018

2021 - "Gradient" (Group Exhibition) - Glade Gallery - The Woodlands, TX

2021 - "13th Annual Juried Exhibition" (Group Exhibition) - Archway Gallery - Houston, TX

2021 - "Pride Art Show" (Group Exhibition) - Hardy & Nance Studios - Houston, TX

2021 - Group Exhibition - The Weekend Pop-up Gallery - Houston, TX