Meet Marieke Mertz | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marieke Mertz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marieke, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born and raised in the Netherlands, about an hour south of Amsterdam. I had the opportunity to go to college here in the U.S. and even though I’d never visited here (not even on vacation), I was excited for this grand adventure! I learned so much from living in another culture and have been so grateful for this experience.
My background definitely has impacted who I am today. As a child, whenever the weather was too rainy to play outside, I loved drawing people and animals, sitting at my childhood dining table with a stack of white paper and a pencil. After taking a detour in my career, art was a natural choice to come back to, giving me flexibility while raising our kids.
My upbringing shows up in my art as well. My mom always taught me to appreciate the small joys in life. My grandpa worked for the wildlife department which rubbed off on my dad who loved nature. He would get in trouble with my mom looking for birds of prey in the sky while driving. As I got older, this love for nature became stronger in my own life. I found comfort and peace in nature during challenging times in my life. I enjoy life long learning so I decided to enroll in a naturalist course and eventually became a certified Oregon Naturalist. I feel I still have so much to learn in this area but I love giving back to nature focused organizations through volunteering.
In my art, you’ll see my appreciation for wildlife and birds as well as the belief that nature helps us feel better both physically and mentally. Coming from an international family, I also celebrate human diversity in my subjects.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets my art apart is the way I use texture for depth, my choice of subject matter, my art techniques, and resonance with my work to create pieces that feel both timeless and deeply personal. Using professional quality oil paint and mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas, I bring a familiar comfort and a sense of life to my paintings, allowing viewers to not just see, but feel the connection between humans, wildlife, birds and the natural world.

I’ve spent many years strengthening my skills and exploring different media. Besides finding my favorite way to express myself, I’ve also done a lot of soul searching as to what matters to me and why creating art is important to me. I’m most proud of how my art serves as a bridge—between people and wildlife, between inner reflection and a call to action to protect our wild spaces, between my brushstrokes and the personal meaning to viewers of my work.

Along the way, I’ve learned that creativity is about trusting the process and not perfectionistic focus on the outcome. Often, my paintings go though a “messy middle” and end up looking different in the end than I initially could have envisioned. My art is filled with compassion and hope. My greatest wish is that my art inspires others to notice the beauty around them, contemplate how they feel and how they can lift up others, and make the world a better place for all.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Portland is amazing in so many ways! For nature lovers, it’s paradise, with the Oregon coast and the mountains both an hour away from the city. Staying in Portland, you can take a hike at Hoyt Arboretum or in Forest Park, one of the largest urban forests in the United States. For a serene nature experience, the Portland Japanese Gardens are both beautiful and peaceful. For day trips from Portland, the waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge, especially Multnomah Falls, are stunning and popular to visit. A place many tourists might not have on their radar is Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, north of Portland in Washington State. I love visiting this important wetland area for migrating birds! The four mile auto loop allows people who have a challenge walking to still enjoy watching birds and wildlife from the comfort of their car.

Coffee shops and book stores are favorite places to hang out, especially on rainy days. You definitely want to carve out some time to visit Powell’s which is said to be the world’s largest independent bookstore.

After enjoying nature or getting lost between stacks of books finding a fascinating page turner, you can satisfy your hunger with an abundance of delicious food options! From upscale restaurants to food carts, in Portland you can find cuisines from all corners of the world. One of my personal favorites is a small restaurant called Wajan which serves Indonesian food. My grandma was Indonesian and this food has the unique flavors that instantly give me comfort and nostalgic joy all at once.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a shoutout to my husband and kids who are my greatest supporters. They have encouraged me at every turn and are always ready with positive support and feedback when I ask. I love you so much! When I feel something might not work, my husband is there to help push me outside of my comfort zone. He can make me laugh at any time! I also realize just how fortunate I was to grow up with loving parents who instilled in me a strong sense of what’s truly important in life and to have gratitude. My extended family in the Netherlands might be far away in distance but never in my heart. I want to also acknowledge the incredibly special people here in the U.S. who have stood by me through the twists and turns of life. Your unwavering kindness, and belief in me have been a source of strength and inspiration. Just like through the beauty of nature, your support has shown me that growth, hope, and resilience are always within reach. Thank you for being part of my journey— I carry your encouragement in every brushstroke and every challenge I encounter.

Website: https://www.mariekemertz.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariekemertz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariekemertzart