BIO
Merry Curran Gregg is a mixed media artist living and working in Benicia, California.
Creating and Making have been driving forces in her life since early childhood. Raised at the knee of her master seamstress Mother, fabric was her first medium.
Following several decades as a graphics production artist in the printing and publishing industry, Merry has shifted gears and now uses her years of focusing on color, design, and balance, in making abstract art. And recently has taken a turn back to her bold graphic roots and is concentrating on design, color, shape, and balance to create works that evoke the vibe of some of her favorite cities.
Merry has a special affinity for Japanese art, design, and fabrics. She is an avid collector of kimonos and obis which, over the years, she has transformed into wearing apparel and home décor items.
Her extensive background in graphic arts has had a strong influence on her work and is expressed in her use of composition, detail, and space. Equally important is balancing color, form, and texture. By bringing modern colors and historical images, shapes, and objects to her work, Merry hopes to evoke memories and encourage personal narrative in her observers.
RESUME
Personal
Education
Two Person Exhibitions
Juried Exhibitions
Recent Group Exhibitions
Benefit Auctions
Open Studios
Awards and Honors
Memberships
In Collaboration with Estey Gallery since 2018
Publications
Merry Curran Gregg is a mixed media artist living and working in Benicia, California.
Creating and Making have been driving forces in her life since early childhood. Raised at the knee of her master seamstress Mother, fabric was her first medium.
Following several decades as a graphics production artist in the printing and publishing industry, Merry has shifted gears and now uses her years of focusing on color, design, and balance, in making abstract art. And recently has taken a turn back to her bold graphic roots and is concentrating on design, color, shape, and balance to create works that evoke the vibe of some of her favorite cities.
Merry has a special affinity for Japanese art, design, and fabrics. She is an avid collector of kimonos and obis which, over the years, she has transformed into wearing apparel and home décor items.
Her extensive background in graphic arts has had a strong influence on her work and is expressed in her use of composition, detail, and space. Equally important is balancing color, form, and texture. By bringing modern colors and historical images, shapes, and objects to her work, Merry hopes to evoke memories and encourage personal narrative in her observers.
RESUME
Personal
- California native
- Educated in Southern California
- Mother of two sons, Tigerlily's grammy
- Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut, CA
- Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA
- Goal: to continue my art education and support my artist community through engagement, participation and encouragement.
Education
- Mixed Media Workshops taught by LorriMarie Jenkins, 2015-2019
- Coptic Stitch Bookmaking by Sharon Payne Bolton, Arts Benicia Workshops, 2018
- Mixed Media Workshops taught by Carl Heyward ,Akiko Suzuki, and Margot Hartford 2018-2019
- Mentoring with Carl Heyward (Global Art Project), 2018-2019
- Studio Painting Workshops with Diane Williams and Chuck Potter, 2017-2021
- Encaustic Workshop taught by Margot Hartford, 2018
- Printmaking Studio taught by Rona Leon, Arts Benicia Workshops, 2019
- Mixed Media Workshops taught by Colleen Gianatiempo, 2019
- Working Small, taught by Carol Dalton at Jen Tough Workshops, 2019
- Drop-in Drawing Online with Sara Post, 2019
- Online Painting with Tesia Blackburn, 2019
- Collaborative Art House "SMART Strategies Workshop" with Jeff Tover and Grace Teo, 2021
- Workshops with Diane Williams at Elise Marshall's Studio, Orinda 2019-2021
Two Person Exhibitions
- Double: S O L O, Gallery Cavallo, Benicia, CA Exhibit with Akiko Suzuki
Juried Exhibitions
- Microcosmos 2, Juror: Chester Arnold, Gallery 621, Benicia, CA 2019
- Uplift: Celebrating the Sierra Nevada, National Juried Exhibition, Juror: Jeanne Lorenz, Arts Benicia Gallery, Benicia, CA, 2019
- Under Pressure 2, Juror: Diana Zed, Lamorinda Arts Alliance, Main Street Arts Gallery, Martinez, CA, 2019
- The Crow Show, National Juried Exhibition, Juror: Patric Stillman, The Studio Door, San Diego, CA
- In The Fields: Botanical Lore, National Juried Exhibition, Juror: Jennifer Perlmutter,
- Arts Benicia Gallery, Benicia, CA, 2018
- Gems IV, Juror: Donna Seager, Arts Benicia Gallery, Benicia, CA, 2017
- Mapping As Source, Juror: Katharine Harmon, Arts Benicia Gallery, Benicia, CA, 2017
Recent Group Exhibitions
- Painted Ladies, Etsey Gallery, Benicia, CA, 2018, Curated by Jeffrey Tover and Grace Teo, Collaborative Art House
- Art of A Community, Arts Benicia, CA, 2018 - 2019
- Art of The Book, Juror: LorriMarie Jenkins, Gallerie Renee Marie, Benicia, CA
- Berenice Salon, San Francisco, CA, 2019
Benefit Auctions
- Arts Benicia Art Auction, Benicia, CA, 2017-2019
- Visual AIDS, Postcards From The Edge 2020, Bortolami, 39 Walker Street, New York, NY
- Virtual Holiday Art Market, Arts Benicia, Nov. 27 thru Dec. 12, 2020
Open Studios
- Benicia Artist Open Studios, Mike Kendall Studio 2018
- Benicia Artist Open Studios, Benicia, CA, 2019
- Benicia Arsenal Artists Holiday Open Studios Benicia, CA, 2018 - 2019
- Benicia Arsenal Open Studios, Guest Artist at Jeff Tover's Studio, 2022
Awards and Honors
- Marin County Fair, Blue Ribbon, Altered Book, 2018
- Marin County Fair, Red Ribbon, Altered Book, 2019
- Alameda County Fair, Silver Ribbon, Assemblage, 2018
Memberships
- Member Artist
In Collaboration with Estey Gallery since 2018
- 2022 Board of Directors Member
Publications
- “Amazing Grace” Somerset Apprentice Magazine (Autumn 2017, Vol. 9, Issue 2) Mixed Media Coptic Bound Book feature and Mixed Media Tutorial
