Biography: MERRITT G. ZIMMERMAN

A native of Cleveland, Ohio USA, I graduated from Baldwin Wallace College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Arts. After graduating I pursued my varied interests in the visual arts. Along my journey I have become fluent in most mediums, and expert in some. This involved many "work for hire" jobs, such as business and band logos, event posters, large scale murals, cartoons and storyboard layouts, tattooing, and commissioned original acrylic paintings. But a common thread across all of my original work is the influence of my vivid imagination. I find it keeps things fresh, interesting and original.

During my formal education I was exposed to certain historic masters which have great influence on my work. The 16th century Flemish painters such as Bosch and Bruegel continue to inspire me. I really am fascinated by the Surrealists, too, such as Dali, Escher, Magritte, Tanguy, and Max Ernst. Additionally, the fantasy, Sci-Fi and visionary artists of the 60s and 70s intrigue and inspire me. I constantly strive to live up to the high standard set by all these masters in my own work.