About the Artist

EARLY YEARS

Growing up a military child I moved a lot. My friends, schools, and surroundings were always changing, but creativity and curiosity were constant. They followed me wherever I went for as long as I can remember. My mother, grandparents, and great aunt were always encouraging me to create and took time to teach me and encourage my artistic interests. They are just a few of the many people who have shaped my life. In elementary school I can remember entering every art contest I could find and proudly standing next to my pieces when they'd be nominated for awards. If you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I'd say vet, farmer, or mom, not an artist because I was already an artist.

In 7th grade I spent ten days in France. It was there that I realized my passion for art history and my admiration of Monet and his contemporaries skyrocketed.

In 8th grade I received the Scholastics Silver Key Award for a painting titled "Broadway on Time Square." The process of creating the painting, the completion of the painting, and awards won by that painting gifted me the confidence I needed to grow as an artist. From that point on, I knew creating art, more specifially paintings, was always going to be in my future.

My 18th year of life was filled with many changes and unexpected blessings. I graduated from high school a semester early, left for my freshman year of college, and began selling my art. I started selling my acrylic paintings in a coffee shop in order to pay for college. Later that year I met my future husband.

...the year everything got serious.

This is the year my mother-in-law introduced me to Diane Parfitt, owner of City Center Gallery and Books in Downtown Fayetteville, NC. I began displaying my art in her gallery and representing myself as a local artist. As of 2021, I am still their resident artist. Diane, Liz, and Laura, the ladies of City Center Gallery and Books, have helped shape my career as an artist, teaching and encouraging me more than I ever deserved.

I also began my speed painting ministry, where in 4-8 minutes I would paint an image and share a corresponding uplifting message, always inspired by my faith in Jesus. If you'd like to discover more about my speed painting process, read my post here.

In this year I was contracted to illustrate a children's book for a local author. This was my first contract as an artist and my first time exploring the world of illustration.

I graduated from Liberty University with a BS in Psychology, thinking it would be helpful if I ever got into art therapy in the future. I felt getting a degree in art was pointless when I was already making money from my art. I regret not following my passion and getting a degree in art history, art education, or painting.

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I began working as an art director and head female counselor of Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center in Rockfish, NC. This was a fantastic experience that brought to light how much I love sharing process-based art with kids and adults. Working as an art director also led to my next job as an elementary and middle school art teacher. I always said I'd never be a teacher, but this position such a gift! I am forever changed because of my time teaching art to those precious students.

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Oh, and in 2016 I got married to that handsome southern boy I met back in 2013!

From January to July, I worked day and night writing, illustrating, editing, and and formatting in order to self-publish my first children's book, Gracie's Gift. It was a massive project! The book was released Sept of 2017 at City Center Gallery and Books. I sold 40 books at the book launch! A grand feat for me!

Early 2017 I was awarded the Regional Artist Project Grant through The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

I spent January through July working on my second book, The Adventures of Arlo and Red.

I hosted my 3rd Annual Art Exhibition with Italian illustrator, Elisa Canaglia at The Sweet Palette in downtown Fayetteville, NC.

We moved to Yokota Air Base, Tokyo, Japan. After three years of failed pregnancies and some help from great medical professionals, I got pregnant and stayed pregnant with our first son. During this time I chose to slow down my art career to travel, paint for fun, and focus on my family.

I relaunched my art business, Caroline Merino Art. On Nov 6, I release my first cohesive body of work, The Japan Collection. The Japan Collection can still be experienced online here. Nearly all of the original artwork in the collection has sold.