​James Mertke is a self taught acrylic painter from San Jose, California. He loves using vibrant colors and playing with bold shadows in his still life paintings. His work features his favorite foods, snacks, and candies, and he often pulls inspiration from his Chinese culture which make his paintings feel both personal and relatable. In addition to his edible subjects, he also enjoys painting nostalgic items that evoke warm feelings and familiar memories.

 

James first got hooked on acrylic paints in childhood. He loved the wide range of colors and the fast drying time that allowed him to create freely and prolifically. While he painted in his free time initially as a hobby, his practice became more defined and developed after completing a painting challenge and documenting it online for over 3 months. After finishing 100 consecutive days of daily painting, a routine was born, and he continues to paint as often as he can.