We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marieke Mertz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Marieke thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

While I’m a longtime resident of the Pacific Northwest, I was born and raised about an hour south of Amsterdam, where rainy days often found me at the dining room table with a pencil in hand and a stack of white paper. From a young age, I was drawn to creating—sketching animals, plants, and especially the fascinating women I saw in my mother’s magazines. Although I didn’t attend art school and my career initially led me down a different path, art always lingered in the background, quietly tugging at my heart.

Eventually, I began accepting portrait commissions for colleagues alongside my day job. When I became a mom, art offered both a creative outlet and flexibility to care for our kids. Over the years, I explored many different forms of making—from illustration to pyrography and stained glass mosaic—before painting truly captured me. That discovery wasn’t marked by a single defining moment but rather a slow, steady realization that this was the path I wanted to follow more intentionally.

While I’ve always felt that I express myself more fluently through images than through words, it’s only in recent years that I’ve fully committed to strengthening my technical skills and deepening my artistic practice. Becoming a professional artist has been a journey of returning to something I’ve always known to be true: this is where my heart lives.

Marieke, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a nature-inspired artist who works primarily in oil paint and mixed media on canvas. My work explores the emotional connection between people and the natural world, often featuring birds, wildlife, and women in reflective moments of care or contemplation. Each piece speaks to themes of belonging, hope, and the importance of protecting wild spaces. In addition to original paintings and fine art prints, I’ve recently introduced journals with my artwork on the cover—created for those who find comfort and joy in putting pen to paper.

I did much self reflection and endless practice to arrive at this moment of my art journey. While I’ve always loved creating, my artistic path wasn’t linear—it evolved over time through exploration, motherhood, and a deepening commitment to reconnect with what felt most authentic. As I refined my voice and learned new techniques, I realized that painting was not just a passion, but a calling that could offer something meaningful to others.

What sets my work apart is the way I use layered textures—both literally and symbolically. I begin with mixed media materials that add depth and dimension, then build up the piece with oil paint to bring richness and softness. This layered approach mirrors the emotional layers I aim to express: vulnerability, compassion, serenity, hope, joy, and the complexity of our human experience in relationship to ourselves and the natural world.

I think many of us are craving purpose, personal wellness and a sense of connection in a noisy world. I aim to create art that holds space for that. I’m most proud when someone tells me a painting made them pause, feel seen, or feel something shift internally—that it offered more than just something pretty to look at.

My work is created with care and heartfelt intention. It’s not just about depicting nature, but honoring it—and creating a bridge between the outer wildness and our inner lives.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is to create artwork that resonates emotionally and makes people feel seen or connected in some way. I care deeply about how my work makes someone feel when they encounter it—whether it brings a sense of calm, sparks reflection, or reminds them of something they love. I hope it encourages people to slow down and consider their relationship with the natural world, and maybe even feel a little more grounded or hopeful because of it. Through my art, I also hope to inspire a deep care for nature, wildlife, and birds—reminding us that these living beings and wild spaces matter, too.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

There’s nothing more meaningful than when a painting I’ve created finds a home—it tells me the work resonated with someone, and I’ll never take that for granted. I put a lot of heart into each piece, and sharing it can feel vulnerable. I’ve always struggled with conflict and sometimes even with speaking up for what matters to me. But over time, I’ve discovered that I can express myself more clearly through my art than with words. When a piece moves someone, it creates a genuine connection—and that kind of connection is the most rewarding part of being an artist for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mariekemertz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariekemertz/
• Other: https://www.threads.com/@mariekemertz