Meet Marieke Mertz

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marieke Mertz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marieke below.

Hi Marieke, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

My purpose as an artist grew out of the different seasons of my life. I was born and raised an hour south of Amsterdam, in a country shaped by its well-known artists—and frequent rain. On rainy days as a child, I’d spend hours drawing, planting the first seeds of creativity, even as my studies and early career took me down other paths. Deep down, I always knew I was an artist, even if the world didn’t see it yet.
Moving to the United States, I was awed by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. My love of nature and wildlife deepened, and so did my desire to create art with meaning. What began as decorative painting evolved, through deep reflection and practice, into work that feels closely aligned with my values. Today, my purpose is to create uplifting art that honors nature and shares hope, connection, and care with others.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m an artist who paints wildlife, birds, and our connection with nature. I’m especially inspired by those moments where the wild and human experience meet. When I encounter wildlife in their natural habitat, time seems to stand still—and it’s that sense of awe and wonder I strive to bring into my paintings.

My work celebrates the gentle yet powerful ways nature restores us, while also reminding us of the importance of caring for the world around us. Each painting is meant as an invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the beauty and calm that nature so generously offers.

I create with professional-grade oil paint and mixed media on canvas in a contemporary style, layering textures and color to explore themes of hope, belonging, wellness, compassion, and advocacy for good.
I offer my original paintings and art prints via my website, wholesale, and through art licensing. Most recently, I launched hardcover journals featuring my artwork—something I’m especially excited about, since they give people a way to carry inspiration into their daily creative practices. The response so far has been incredibly encouraging, and I look forward to expanding these offerings while continuing to grow my painting practice.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I would say the three qualities most impactful in my journey all happen to start with the letter D: determination, dedication, and discernment.

Being a professional artist can feel like a roller coaster. One day, you might receive a rejection from an art call you were really hoping for. The next, someone collects an original painting and shares how deeply it resonates with them. It’s those moments of connection that remind me why I keep going.

Dedication has been just as important. Being an artist requires endless practice and the willingness to keep showing up, even when the outcome feels uncertain. My vision for where I want to be keeps evolving, so strengthening my technical skills has been key to more fully expressing what’s in my heart.

And finally, discernment. This comes from self-reflection as well as learning from mentors and artist friends who bring fresh perspectives. Knowing your values and what truly matters to you will guide you toward creating work with greater impact and authenticity.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, I’m always open to collaborations that align with my values of celebrating nature, wildlife, and the importance of caring for our world. I’d especially love to connect with like-minded brands, nonprofits, or organizations that focus on nature conservation, wildlife, birds, creativity or art—whether that’s through art licensing, product collaborations, or special projects.
If someone reading this feels we’d be a good fit, I’d love to hear from them. The best way to connect is through the “About” page on my website at www.MariekeMertz.com.

Contact Info:

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