Art - Design - Books

We All Have A Story from karin merx on Vimeo.

Nina Simone, classically trained piano player, singer, songwriter and civil rights activist. Her portrait tells me more than that what we all can read.

Capturing her authenticity, her infectious smile, the passion she had making music. Staying true to who she really is became embodied through her music. That despite her mental health (Bipolar).

Nina Simone, Black Excellence from karin merx on Vimeo.

**Who is your shero or hero in music of whom you would love to have a portrait in charcoal or watercolour?**

Nina Simone is one of mine. Trained as a classical piano player with huge talent and a great voice, she went into jazz. She used her music as activist and that set her career as musician back. However, it was also her bipolar that made it very difficult for her to perform to high standards.

Once in the Netherlands, Nijmegen, she was brought into hospital. The doctor diagnosed bipolar and gave her medication. The devastating effects of the medication were that she would loose memory and motoric movement, as well as being able to sing and play the piano.

A very sad story of which I firmly believe that nowadays, much more can be done and in a natural way. Somehow we keep tight to drugs as a solution. It unfortunately ruins more that it heals.

Nina Simone, black beauty and incredible black talent. Worth digging and never to forget.

**Who is your shero or hero in music of whome you would love to have a portrait in charcoal or watercolour?**

George Floyed: Remember His Name from karin merx on Vimeo.

Portraits as a Story | Stay True To Who You Are, You Are Good Enough from karin merx on Vimeo.

Survivors (Domestic) Abuse Art Project from karin merx on Vimeo.

We still need your help with this project. This is the first step to tell the stories of those who survived. Their stories are vital.

Inga Viola Wolf: Her Story Told from karin merx on Vimeo.

Her Story Told: Inga Viola Wolf

Karin Merx, 2019, Inga and Christopher, watercolour, 30x40cm, collection Inga Wolf

I am happy to reveal my newest work. This is a double portrait with a very special twist. The woman who commissioned me told me her story. While sketching her I suddenly received this idea out of nowhere to actually make it a double portrait. I did, however, I did not exactly know why I needed to do that…

Edmonia (Wildfire) Lewis, Artist | Sculptor

Karin Merx, 2019, Portrait Edmonia (Wildfire) Lewis, Oil on Canvas, 40 x 60 cm.

Her story told: Edmonia Lewis (1844-1907) was the first black visual artist to achieve broad, international recognition. She was a sculptor of African and American Indian descent.

The New York Timeswrote: ‘As an artist she transcended constraints, and as a woman of color, she confronted a society that wished to…

Karin Merx, 2017, Portrait of my Love author Elizabeth Amisu, oil on canvas, Collection Elizabeth Amisu

This portrait by far the most important painting I ever made. Elizabeth Amisu is the author of the first academic book on Michael Jackson, The Dangerous Philosophies of michael Jackson, His Music, His Persona, and His Artistic Afterlife, published with Preager in 2016. She is also the author…

Book Covers | Illustrations

The following book covers and illustrations were all made for the books of Elizabeth Amisu. All covers and illustrations are created by me in collaboration with Elizabeth. The cover design of The Dangerous Philosophies was designed by the publisher, the cover portrait was commissioned to me by Elizabeth. The original is in her private collection as are most of the illustrations. Prints of the…

Karin Merx, 2019, Portrait Audre Lorde, Oil on Canvas, 40 x 60 cm

Her Story Told: Audre Lorde was a leading African-American poet and essayist, a black lesbian, mother, and advocate for civil rights, confronting and addressing racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia. A few of her books are: The First Cities, Cables to Rage, Between Our Selves, and The Cancer Journals. Lorde is a role model…

Karin Merx, 2019, Marsha P. Johnson, 40 x 60 cm, oil on canvas.

Her Story Told: Marsha P. Johnson, trans, one of the first campaigners for LGBTQi+ rights, humanity and equality. She is a role model for all those who have a difficulty staying true to who they really are. Difficult because within the community, our society and even their own communities acceptance is often extremely difficult…