A California native, I’m surrounded by painting inspiration! The richness and diversity of California's natural landscape as well as locations I've visited throughout the country and abroad have provided a wealth of painting subjects.
Art and music were my special interests at an early age, and continue to be my passions today. I grew up in Arcadia, CA and attended Scripps College in Claremont where I earned a BFA degree. Additional studies were at Chouinard Art Institute (CAL ARTS) and UCSC,. My education has provided inspiration and a solid artistic foundation. Studies included work with prominent California artists Phil Dike, Jean Ames, Phil Paradise, David Scott, Richards Ruben, Paul Soldner and Paul Darrow. Early success, awards and scholarships, encouraged me to explore a wide variety of art possibilities such as graphic design and painting, both abstract and representational.
My first art job was as a designer of silkscreen greeting cards for Running Studios of Upland and Paso Robles. As my artwork evolved, so did my signature change from Aronovici to Moreno with two marriages. In the '80s & '90s my wearable art company was Merlyn Moreno Designs. Over the years I did interior and architectural renderings, painted large abstracts, made collages and experimented with styles and media, all before focusing on contemporary acrylic landscapes.
Santa Cruz County has been my home for 50 years. Raising three children in Aptos - Susan, Stacy & David, I am an advocate for the arts in our schools. Other interests such as tennis, led to a job as manager of the Tennis Club of Rio Del Mar in the '80s and an ongoing interest in music included playing 'cello (for 35 years) in state and local orchestras. Travel has been a lifelong pursuit and after my husband Herb's stroke, we traveled the country in our RV (I drove), touching every state. A life of many interests - family & genealogy, music, tennis, travel, sailing, photography - has been, and continues to be, beneficial to my art expression!
During my painting career, I've exhibited in galleries statewide, beginning in Southern California at the Laguna Beach Art Association and Newport Beach's Artist Choice Gallery. In Northern California I exhibited at Shanes of Sharon Heights of Menlo Park & San Jose, in Carmel's Gallerie de Tour & New Masters Gallery and in Capitola's Styles & Strong Gallery. Solo shows at Santa Cruz area venues have included S.C. County Government Building, Michael's on Main, UCSC’s Stephenson College, Chaminade Resort, S.C.Art League and others. In March 2020 my one-woman exhibit at Capitola Mall’s Studio 104A closed weeks early due to Covid. During the Covid shutdown I was a part of the Visual Arts Index of Santa Cruz County and when OPEN STUDIOS returned I was a 2022 participant. My Facebook page is Merlyn Moreno Artist, and on Instagram look for "merlynsuem."
I currently display paintings, prints & cards at Art of Santa Cruz Gallery in the Capitola Mall.
Open daily, hours are: Mon-Sat 10 am -6 pm and Sun 11 am -6 pm.
Art and music were my special interests at an early age, and continue to be my passions today. I grew up in Arcadia, CA and attended Scripps College in Claremont where I earned a BFA degree. Additional studies were at Chouinard Art Institute (CAL ARTS) and UCSC,. My education has provided inspiration and a solid artistic foundation. Studies included work with prominent California artists Phil Dike, Jean Ames, Phil Paradise, David Scott, Richards Ruben, Paul Soldner and Paul Darrow. Early success, awards and scholarships, encouraged me to explore a wide variety of art possibilities such as graphic design and painting, both abstract and representational.
My first art job was as a designer of silkscreen greeting cards for Running Studios of Upland and Paso Robles. As my artwork evolved, so did my signature change from Aronovici to Moreno with two marriages. In the '80s & '90s my wearable art company was Merlyn Moreno Designs. Over the years I did interior and architectural renderings, painted large abstracts, made collages and experimented with styles and media, all before focusing on contemporary acrylic landscapes.
Santa Cruz County has been my home for 50 years. Raising three children in Aptos - Susan, Stacy & David, I am an advocate for the arts in our schools. Other interests such as tennis, led to a job as manager of the Tennis Club of Rio Del Mar in the '80s and an ongoing interest in music included playing 'cello (for 35 years) in state and local orchestras. Travel has been a lifelong pursuit and after my husband Herb's stroke, we traveled the country in our RV (I drove), touching every state. A life of many interests - family & genealogy, music, tennis, travel, sailing, photography - has been, and continues to be, beneficial to my art expression!
During my painting career, I've exhibited in galleries statewide, beginning in Southern California at the Laguna Beach Art Association and Newport Beach's Artist Choice Gallery. In Northern California I exhibited at Shanes of Sharon Heights of Menlo Park & San Jose, in Carmel's Gallerie de Tour & New Masters Gallery and in Capitola's Styles & Strong Gallery. Solo shows at Santa Cruz area venues have included S.C. County Government Building, Michael's on Main, UCSC’s Stephenson College, Chaminade Resort, S.C.Art League and others. In March 2020 my one-woman exhibit at Capitola Mall’s Studio 104A closed weeks early due to Covid. During the Covid shutdown I was a part of the Visual Arts Index of Santa Cruz County and when OPEN STUDIOS returned I was a 2022 participant. My Facebook page is Merlyn Moreno Artist, and on Instagram look for "merlynsuem."
I currently display paintings, prints & cards at Art of Santa Cruz Gallery in the Capitola Mall.
Open daily, hours are: Mon-Sat 10 am -6 pm and Sun 11 am -6 pm.
