One of the most engaging things when meeting Mershell is finding out about him....and the history of his artwork.  And since you don't have the chance to talk to him right here...we thought you might want to learn a little more about him.

It was a shift that started with the death of his twin sister Ladell that moved him towards expressing himself as the artist that had wanted to come out. 

Growing Up In The Mississippi Delta...At Heart Always An Artist...and Artisian...

At heart he has always been an Artist.

Born in the small town of Greenville...Mershell is one son in a large Lebanese family that had settled in the early 1900's.  His father was a caring and successful proprietor of a well stocked and wonderful men's clothing store.

Growing up  he learned the value of service...and the love of family.  It was a large family...and recently at the Sherman family reunion there were over 200 people.

His own family includes a son currently living in Boston and attending the University of Massachusetts at Boston...and a daughter who has brought two incredible grandchildren into his life over the last three years.

Moving To Tallahassee In 1976...The Beginning Of His Career

Eventually he moved to Tallahassee, FL and afer college took up the skilled craft of furninture restoration.

A successful craftsman based in Tallahassee, FL he spent 30 years as a Fine Furniture Restorer...bringing new life to old, heirloom quality pieces of furniture.

But Mershell was not just a "furniture fixer"...he was a craftsman. 

If you've ever tried to refinish a piece of furniture....you know that it's not just a matter of stripping off old paint...and putting on new.

You have to understand the wood...you have to understand it has a life of it's own. 

For example....old wood is like us... as we age...

It has it's surface...it's skin.

It has it's bones...and they get brittle with age.

You have to make the plan to give it back it's life...and it's youth...and choose what stage of life you want to bring it back to.

And he became a master at restoring the life of furniture.


1999...How Art Healed His Heart...Saved His Life.... And Discovered The Healing Power Of Color

 In 1999 Mershell's Twin Sister Ladell died.

Anyone who has lost a brother or sister knows how hard that is.

 But it's even harder for those who are twins. 

Twins have that extra close bond that only they can understand.

It was during that time that Mershell went into himself...spending more time alone...and started painting.

We can't always say what we feel.  And painting opens doors to expression far beyond ordinary words.

But it wasn't just the painting.

It was the colors.

The colors took on a world of their own...meanings of their own...they became healing.

And it was then that he discovered the Healing Power of Color.

Color.  Color...and More Color!

Bright....Bold...Healing.


Why did you start painting?

I started using painting...and color...as a way to get away from the pain caused by the death of my twin sister.  I found it was very healing.  And the painting and the colors became so healing...and so life affirming...I kept on.

What Medium Do You Use?  IS There Some Special Reason Why?

First of all, I like painting mostly on reclaimed materials.  They have a life of their own.

So I paint on Cabinet doors from old furniture and kitchens....Shutters are a favorite of mine...reclaimed metal (like from old tin roofs from South Georgia...lumber that I find in lots of places (including old barns being torn down...or old houses being redone). 

I love being at the beach and often find old pieces of driftwood that turn into great (and unique) canvasses.

What About The Paints You Use?

I tend to mostly use Acrylic paints.  They have the brightness...and wondeful colors that I find so healing.  And Acrylic has a texture to it that brings it to life.

I can also use certain Acrylics on the rougher woods (like driftwood) and it holds to the surface and brings it out more.


You're Work Has That Beach/Tropical Look...But Is Somehow Different...What Inspires You?

In life...My grandkids!


In Art....I'm drawn and inspired by visits to the beach.

You might say it's a tropical influence...certainly in the colors.

But there's more to it.

Most of the beaches I visit are in the North Florida...The Panhandle of Florida.  And they have a different "feel" to them.

They are among the most beautiful beaches in the world...but they're are parts that are not crowded...many of them the forest runs right to the water...the gulf waters up here are clear blue...the sand is crystal white and squeaky...and it gets cold here in the wintertime. 

Most of north Florida is very rural...it's a different atmosphere.  And that applies to the beaches too.  Sure, there are big tourist areas like Destin...and they are fun...but I also love the remote side even more.

So even though they are "beaches"...they have different moods and seasons of feeling than tropical beaches...and they bring out the playfullness...the serenity...and the calm in me in a unique way.