Arden Mays Merckle has a one-of-a-kind studio. Located off Evers Street in Historic Downtown Plant City, the foyer transports viewers into the elegant time period of Rococo. The lavish entrance features hand-painted faux marble columns, a crystal chandelier and forest murals on every wall.
It’s no wonder the Bruton Memorial Library asked to feature his artwork this month. An opening night reception was held July 1.
Drawing inspiration from Europe, his style is unique. But perhaps his biggest inspiration — old Disney animation — is the most prevalent.
Last year, Merckle also showed at the library. His signature piece was a large landscape of Sleeping Beauty in her forest. The realism was laced with theatrical lines and colors.
This year, the same piece will be in the children’s section. In other areas, Merckle will display other pieces, including impressive, large-scale landscapes of Utah and West Virginia.
“I’m not the best artist, and I’m not the worst,” Merckle says. “There’s none quite like me. It has a flair about it. It’s a combination of Disney and ‘Lord of the Rings’-type feel.”
Merckle’s current project focuses on capturing the essence of different states. He wants to create a book with photographs of landscapes from all 50 states and a painting accompanying each photograph.
“I haven’t seen anything like it out there,” Merckle says.
In anticipation of the project, Merckle has taken three road trips around the country, exploring every corner of the map.
His calls his first trip the Heartland America Trip, during which he traveled the Midwest and ventured up into Niagara Falls. Merckle also explored Texas and many state parks.
During his second trip, Merckle went to Chicago and into the Northwest. Although he reached Yosemite National Park in June, it was snowing, and the lake was still frozen. Inclement weather forced him to improvise, and he detoured through Las Vegas and into the Southwest. He was also able to see the majestic Redwood trees in California.
“It was an absolutely spiritual experience,” Merckle says. “You can’t help but not be moved.”
On his third trip, Merckle visited New England with two other Plant City artists, Punk and Lou Ann Watson. Together, they saw New York City and visited many historic battlefields.
“I like to keep myself busy and have a purpose to paint,” Merckle says. “It inspires me to paint.”
With all the traveling, Merckle has been inspired to paint 20 landscapes of different states.
“I feel at home out west,” Merckle says. “I love the diversity.”
Merckle’s artistic talent comes from his family. His grandmother, Katherine Mays, taught him everything she knew. She attended Pratt Art Institute, in New York, and specialized in abstract art.
Another Plant City artist, Jossie Arozin, mother-in-law to commissioner Bill Dodson, also gave Merckle lessons.
Merckle graduated from Florida State University’s School of Visual Arts. He then moved to Atlanta, where he met artist and designer Gerald V. Underwood through friends.
Together, the two traveled to Europe and Mexico and worked on a plethora of projects, including interior design, faux finishes and murals, from Pennsylvania to Texas.
In 1993, they were commissioned to work for Bob Turley, a former pitcher for the New York Yankees, to do extensive artwork at his home on Marco Island.
Merckle also has worked on a mural in the Park Building, in Atlanta, where Elton John has several units.
Merckle had to put his artistic career on hold when his mother, Neva Wilson Merckle, became ill.
“I had to choose between two worlds,” Merckle says.
After Neva died on Valentine’s Day, Merckle began painting again.
“Now, my time has come into play,” Merckle says. “I’ve got the foundation down, and God gave me a great talent.”