I was born Merice Ewart 1950 in Leeds West Yorkshire - one of four children, I attended Braimwood Secondary modern School my favourite lessons were art and history. The greater part of my childhood life was spent in Roundhay Park where I first began to appreciate the beauty of nature and used my mum’s box camera.

Throughout my life I have always had a feeling for what looks right but any artistic aspirations were well and truly suppressed by fulfilling my roles of wife, mother and grandmother.

In 2003 Glenn, my husband became a professional artist and I found myself accompanying him on location. I began to take photographs as an aide-memoir to supplement his notes and sketches. A couple of sessions with my friends Margaret and Eileen fellow photographer's, in the summer of 2004 encouraged me to begin to develop my style and explore the potential of digital photography, but it was another twelve months before I made the move to become a photo artist.

At first I concentrated on traditional landscapes but gradually developed a range and method of working that fitted in with my limitations. I have suffered with ME for the past twenty years so I realised I could not compete with traditional photographers.

I now concentrate on light, texture and water trying to portray the world as I see it. I am really excited by what I am doing. I have taught myself to look at things from an artistic angle and try to capture the "design ‘spirit’ and ‘feel’ of a subject.

I feel privileged to live in Yorkshire: I am now on my third Riding, having lived West, North now settling in the East. I always take my camera with me wherever I go, because any moment could give me the possibility of practising my art. Through it I have come to have a real enjoyment of life despite my limitations and I want to pass this joy and wonder on to others through my work.

My greatest sense of achievement in my work so far - being selected as an Exhibiting Member of the prestigious Leeds Fine Art Club - October 2005 thus becoming their very first Photographer! I have exhibited in many galleries around Yorkshire. And have sold many of my prints.

I have also been featured on the BBC web site, and been privileged to feature as artist in residence October 2007 & April 2008 at Burton Agnes Hall where I have two pieces of my work hanging in the long gallery.

My newfound love: “My Camera” has enabled me to regain a measure of Independence and at an age when most are winding down, I am on the dawn of a new beginnings. I have gone on to developed my contemporary “Fotografix” manipulative works and am really excited with some of the results.
Margaret, Eileen and Merice meet every Wednesday to discuss and take photo’s.