two.

Hello again,

I would like to take this moment to vent with everyone. I feel safe in saying that about 98.5 % of the planet despises the idea of research, let alone the prospect of doing it. What is absolutely killing me is the lack of information pertaining to a Mr. Raymond Merva. Besides a dusty sheet of useless, boring facts (i.e date of birth, graduation from electrician school...yeaaaa), no information or fund fact exist on Merva after December 1976. This leads me to wonder, where is the world is Raymond Merva. At this point I have pretty much exhausted all of my resources and am currently planning on marketing a game with him as the main character like the Carmen San Diego show/game of my youth.

Desperate as I am, I thought that a simple google search would lead me to something interesting. It didn't. I got basically two viable hits for the guy, one being a page concerning his favorite rocks (fascinating, right?) and a Classmates.com page. The Classmates.com page, however, may legitimately be him, scarily enough. He was born in the same year (I simply subtracted 18 years from his high school graduation date) and from the same state. I have debated contacting this possible Ray Merva, but keep coming to the conclusion that that is wicker creeper stalkerish and should be avoided like the plague. I guess my lack of information will have to do...if you are interested I will post the information I have written about him below.

Until my next post....

P.S. Raymond Merva if you read this, please prove your existance. Thank you!

Raymond Merva
American; December 12, 1950-Present

From New England to the South, Raymond Merva has managed to spread his work throughout the east coast, yet still remain a mystery. Raised in Connecticut around the middle of the 19th century, Raymond Merva’s path to art was less than conventional. After high school, Merva studied electronics for two years at Connecticut School of Electronics, and went on to receive his B.A.S from Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1973. It wasn’t until 1975 that Merva finally received his Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from University of Bridgeport. Now a certified art educator in the state of Connecticut, Merva worked at three different schools in the year after he graduate from University of Bridgeport. When he left those positions, he moved to Falls Church, Virginia, and founded LIVE WITH ART, an artist-run gallery. He also eventually became an instructor of the Arlington County Department of Environmental Affairs. During this time, galleries in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Alexandria, Virginia, and even the Lincoln Center in New York City displayed his art work in group shows. Raymond Merva, however, has disappeared in records after the year 1976. For a man whose work was spread throughout the eastern sea board, it is surprising to see that little else exists on such a talented man.

one.

Hey everybody,
I've been working on researching my artists for the show, and can not believe how much interesting information there is about each one. So far, I have really been drawn to Frank Kleinholz. His piece, Birthday Cake, was actually the first work I chose for the show, and what I based my other two choices on. The more I read and learn about him, the more I wish I could meet him! I thought I'd post a biography for everyone to read so that they can get excited about a truely fascinating man.

FRANK KLEINHOLZ
American; February 17, 1901-October 4, 1987

Born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY, at the beginning of the 20th century, Frank Kleinholz grew up looking at the world differently than his peers. From a young age, Kleinholz guided his blind father throughout the bustling city streets, acting as his father’s eyes. This experience heighted his visual perception and gave him a greater appreciation of what he saw. After being admitted to the New York Bar in 1923, Kleinholz became dissatisfied with lack of creativity in the law profession and searched for a more profound experience. In 1939, he won a scholarship to the American Art School, and studied under Sol Wilson, while continuing to practice law. Within the next five years, his work was displayed at the Phillips Gallery, Whitney Museum Annual Exhibition, and the Chicago Art Insitute. Somehow, he managed to juggle the roles of lawyer and artist through his rise in success. The death of his first wife from cancer in 1945 inspired him to devote his life to painting and creating. His unique style continued until his death in 1987.