Merryl Greaves studied under the artist John Ogburn for 10 years from 1995, in Glebe NSW, painting in an Expressionist style before learning Abstract painting with Tony Tozer and now Yaeli Ohana.

She pursues her curiosity of abstract expression, painting in her studio at Georges Heights. She paints with acrylic paint which allows her a sense of spontaneity and freedom.

“My paintings rely on an experience or memory and imagination and trying to capture the essence of that. I work intuitively and enjoy the process where the painting reveals itself. ”

My recent body of work encompasses aspects of my theme of Dissolution. For me this implies the process of endings, the change and impermanence of almost everything, of life cycles, the ending of an era, the end of seasons, the ending of things intangible, the sacred bond of marriage, aging, decay and death of the material object. Abstract painting thus lending itself to the concept caught on canvas – my expression of that idea, my experiences, memories, and inner world.

Out of Line 

“I had gone down the south coast to a cabin on East beach Kiama to have a week of plein air painting. Day 1 started with rain that continued to Day 7 resulting in the contained energy of cabin fever exploding onto the canvases in uncensored strokes and shocking pink paint! Deciding this was to be the modum operandem for the week I continued to paint in unbridled and untamed lines to represent the murky skies and pea soup seas under unrelenting rain .

Coming back to work in the studio saw a change in pace and emotions to quieter paintings still very much using line work as in “In Line” and moving towards creating perspective with charcoal lines but still with the hint of rebelliousness!

It has been a really enjoyable process over the past year – breaking out and then coming back to calmer waters . Hopefully the titles will help to take you on the journey.” Merryl Greaves 2025

Exhibitions

Harrington Street Gallery1995-2005

Mosman 2088 exhibition

Mosman Art Prize 2016

Joy Ewart Gallery group exhibitions

Kristina Brenke Studio Palm Beach

Ewart Art Prize 2020

The Creative Space, Curl Curl

The Landship Gallery, George’s Heights group exhibitions

2023 Mosman 2088