“{Merchan's} approach to artistic creation centers primarily on the abandonment of preconceived notions and expectations. He believes that relinquishing such limitations affords the liberty to paint with a degree of innocence that makes his works of art evocative. He achieves this evocation through rapid execution, drawing primarily from the inspiration of his subjects, rather than focusing on restrictive illustration methods. This flexible ideology translates stylistically into depictions that capture the energy and essence of his subjects rather than accurate renderings of reality.”

Julie Bohannon, 20 Uninterrupted Years, Richard Merchan, Selected Works from 1984 to 2004

Born:  Maracaibo, Venezuela, 1955