THE STUDIO OF NICOLE MERKENS

Here is what I have been working on. New Work Fall 2016 "Catrina of Night"  18"h x 6"w x 4"d "Madonna of Perros" 17"h x 11"w x 8"d "The Centaur" 24"h x 9"w x 11"d "The Centaur" (detail)  24"h x 9"w x 11"d "Queen of Bling" 22"h x 14"h x 10"d "Her Hair was Always a Mess"  22"h x 12"w x 9"d "Quietly Blooming" 21"h x 11.5"w x 10"d "The Lovers" 12"hx7"wx6"d "The Lovers" 12"hx7"wx6"d   "Warrior Thoughts" Wall piece 18"h x 12"w x 8"d "Moon Goddess"

The Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series Atlanta event was awesome on Friday Night! Its always a swanky event with good music, great people and good art. I was honored to be a part of this exhibit and contest. A fun night was had by all.

WOO HOO!!! My Piece "Moon Goddess" has made it the SemiFinals for the Bombay Artisan Series.  There will be an opening October 28th at Mason Murer Fine Arts Gallery in Atlanta, Ga. 6-9pm Please vote on the website- the top 2 online winners will get a chance to exhibit at the SCOPE Miami Beach exhibit this January.  You can vote here :  https://www.bombayartisan.com/entry/moon-goddess/ "Bombay Sapphire's Artisan Series ” October 28, 2016 6-9pm Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery 199 Armour Drive, Atlanta, Ga 30324 (404) 879-1500 www.masonfineartandevents.com  

view out my hotel window in the mornings I have just returned from an amazing 10 day trip to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. I attended a two week work shop with my idols: Debra Fritts and Lisa Clague at  Barro.Co Clay Studio . They both taught how they built the figure in clay and we went on numerous field trips to parts of Mexico that I don't think I would have ever seen.  One of the field trips was to junk yards, one to the Mummy Museum, the Folk Art Museum, The Mask Museum, The Chapel of Jimmy Ray, Delores Hildago,  Guanajuato , and Gorky Gonzalez Majolica Studio.  The people, the art, the architecture and the food were all superb! I miss the colors of Mexico as I write this post. I will return very soon. Here are photos and some great restaurant suggestions, in case you are itching to go: la azotea / rooftop bar with great appetizers / jicama tacos are delicious the rosewood hotel / rooftop bar with amazing view of san miguel la posadita / rooftop mexican restaura