About The Artist
Ciao! I’m BK Calcara Merriman and I grew up in The Great State of Ohio. Go Buckeyes!
I have one brother and my parents made our family life beautiful by stressing the importance of establishing strong family connections, positive and open-minded relationships, a growth mindset, strong work ethic, and caring for others.
My Father was the owner of Calcara Custom Homes for 50 years and built homes with extreme craftsmanship. My Mother was a homemaker and an executive administrative secretary for Westerville City Schools.
I graduated from The Columbus College of Art and Design in 1982 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Advertising Design and Fine Art. My work thereafter included operating pre-press/film, typesetting, printing, and bindery equipment for the State of Ohio. This job opened the door to a position as a Graphic Designer/Illustrator for Buckeye Power Electric, Ohio Rural Electric, and Country Living Magazine.
While raising my children, I owned Calcara Merriman Design, a freelance advertising design company with clients including: Jewel Evans Family Foods, Continental Office Supply, Stark Video Production, and several other companies.
I have one daughter and one son. I am extremely proud of their work with design and technology and noteworthy accomplishments. I enjoy our time together as we share our favorite meals and discuss current events in our lives.
I love to: garden, cook, grill, play games, bowl, fish, travel, write poetry, compose song lyrics, read biographies, watch sports, play the bass, guitar, and organ.
Our family moved to Austin, Texas in 1983. I achieved my post-baccalaureate teacher certification from The University of Texas at Austin in 1999, specializing in art, reading, and technology.
My certifications include: Elementary Grades 1-8, Elementary Art Grades 1-8, Technology Education Grades 6-12, Special Education Grades 1-12, and English as a Second Language Grades 1-12.
I have had the pleasure of teaching 1st grade, PK-8 Art, 6th grade English Language Arts, 6th grade Technology Literacy, and 6/7/8 Graphic Design.
The past 20 years of teaching have brought great joy to my life and I feel that the teaching profession is the most rewarding career. I am currently at Murchison M.S. which is an International Baccalaureate World School. I enjoy working with students from all around the globe.
Though out my working career, I have always turned to making fine art as well as designing commercial art products to power my creative and problem thinking skills. My passion is graphic design but I desire to experience more collaboration with other artists who are interested in creating a better and more peaceful world.
I look forward to retirement and a new artistic journey that will propel my heart and soul into another dimension of significant work that truly continues my need to make a difference in the lives of others.
Thank you for viewing my art and I hope that you will contact me with your comments. Some pieces are for sale but all the works of art can be redesigned or recreated to meet your living, recreational or work spaces. I look forward to hearing from you !!!
My Life in Photos
