The Creative Process

Merr’s journey as an artist began long before she could put a name to it. Born in 1933 in Evanston, Illinois and raised in a home that nurtured play, creativity, and humor, she learned early on that art wasn’t just something you did — it was something you lived. Drama, sewing, cooking, singing, storytelling, and drawing were threads woven into the fabric of everyday life. 

Though Merr never pursued a formal art degree, she never needed one. Her art was born of doing, of learning from those around her, of gathering wisdom from colleagues, fellow artists, and, most importantly, from teaching others. Because Merr didn’t just want to create art—she wanted to help others discover their own ability to create. 

Her passion for teaching extended beyond the canvas. She also shared the gift of literacy. Merr got a Master’s Degree in Education from Colorado College, marking the beginning of a lifelong dedication to education. She wrote the first proposal for the local Head Start Program. She co-founded the Colorado Springs Community School. She taught inmates to read at the Cañon City prison. She also went on to teach literacy and chair the Art Department at Pikes Peak Community College, where she continued to encourage others.