My first Self-Portrait... I was born in Wooster, Ohio and grew up on Long Island, New York. With a degree in Advertising Art and Design, I began working as an Art Director, Illustrator and Calligrapher for a variety of ad agencies and design studios in NYC. In 1989, I moved to Orlando, Florida. I opened my own advertising agency and continued to exercise my creative talents as an artist, photographer, poet and musician.

In 1997, I began devoting my time to exploring self expression through my love of painting. The rhythms and flow of energy graphically expressed with the poetic lines of calligraphy became my foundation. My choice to paint on Birch wood, as opposed to canvas or paper, provided this new found creative energy to grow in uncharted territory. The wood's grain reveals similar rhythms and flow of energy. And it's relationship with my painting has grown deeper and deeper.

Influenced by Charles DeMuth's Figure Five in Gold The painting shown on the left is called, "I saw the figure five in gold spinning in my head", which was influenced by Charles DeMuth's Figure Five in Gold (1928). It signifies a turning point in my life.

A career in the Fine Arts had lingered in my heart and soul for many years. It began when I was about 12 years old, during a visit to the Museum of Modern Art in New York. That's where I first saw the painting, Figure 5 in Gold. This made such an impression on me, I was in love with it. I identified this painting with my own desire to be what I knew I was, an artist... the Figure 5 in Gold was spinning in my head!

My interpretation of this influential painting is a turbulent, powerful force that is moving through time and space, like a tornado. The painting embodies many artistic influences (Kandinsky, Dali, Pollack, Erte, Mondrian, Nagel) that have shaped my own distinct style. I engraved a person sailing a boat from inside the storm heading out into uncharted territory. This is symbolic of my journey.

Can you think of a relative situation in your own life? Where experiences and collective forces have set yourself on a path that you can't resist. That you know in your heart you were destined to travel. What is spinning in your head?

“Pablo Picasso believed that his paintings must awaken something, even in the man who doesn't ordinarily look at pictures. In each painting, he wanted to provide something for every level of thinking.

I share this view and my intent is to communicate with you, through this universal language of poetic line... through imagery and emotions... offering you a part of me, that you may find, is a part of you. Enjoy!”

New Artwork Combines Wood, Metal and Glass!! My artistic direction has recently been transformed into 3-dimensional, mixed media works of art. The complement of wood, metal, acrylic glass, stone, and various textures brings these expressive artworks to life in a more complex, visual & tangible way.

Regardless, each work of art maintains its intrinsic appeal, "Transparency"... allowing the viewer to see, hear, feel beneath the surface. Bonding with the subject with increasing intensity.

A few of the dominate influences on me, as an artist, are Kandinsky, Miro, Pollack, Dali, Calder, Erte, Versace, and Patrick Nagel. Fashion design, architecture and the human form are but a few of the subjects that will find their place as I continue to experiment in color, texture, imagery and form.

If you have any questions,you can reach me at 786.375.7350 or Email: KurtMerkel@comcast.net

Kurt Merkel is an award-winning artist with an unmistable, original style. Since debuting this new mixed-media artwork, Kurt was recognized by the interior design firm, COLLINS-DUPONT (Naples FL), as their Featured Artist. A prominent art collector has commissioned a 10’ x 6’ painting for a home in Cocoa Beach. And, based on his reception during ART BASEL MIAMI 2009, there is growing anticipation for his dynamic works of art.