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Dona’s Garden is an abstract interpretation of a flower garden in Maine belonging to one of Alisha Merrick’s dear friends. Its cheerfulness and whimsy contrast with the painting’s story; Merrick finished the piece in November 2022 and lost that same friend to brain cancer the following spring.

At 3 feet square, it’s the largest piece she’s done — quite large considering most of her work is jewelry-sized. She uses paper on the canvas alongside the acrylic paint, a technique she began using in 2016 as a way to add color, texture, and pattern to her work. In this piece, it’s not just any paper, but the insides of envelopes from bills she’s collected for years.

It’s playful and simple. Merrick describes it as easy and fun, like a doodle.

“Flowers are my favorite happy place,” she said. “The background of it is leftover interior house paint from my office. My all-time favorite color. It reminds me not to take myself too seriously!”

A lifelong artist, Merrick studied to be a graphic designer in high school and then continued to art school, where she ended up majoring in enameling.

“It feels funny to call myself a painter, but I am!” she said.

Dora’s Garden can be seen alongside Merrick’s other work at her gallery and gift boutique, Fern, located at 111o First Street S. Fern offers a curated selection of sustainable goods made by (mostly local) women.

The boutique is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year and is known for its bright and cheerful atmosphere. Fern has an emphasis on art, female makers and businesses, and sustainability. More information can be found at alishamerrickart.com.