Darrell Merrilll shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Darrell, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I lose track of time two ways. One setting up, cleaning my art table, removing the clutter, getting a soda, make sure all my tools are ready. There are a lot of rituals I go through trying to get ready. In doing this part I’m EASILY distracted by the internet, TV, Games , Dogs….. lol which is the second way I lose track of time….. its a wonder I get anything done.
Then I start drawing this is the heart of all my art from painting to digital work its starts pencil in hand. The idea that I started with begins to take form, ideas come at me in this process and problems too that I work through to convey my ideas. If I am lucky my art at least matches up with my idea and sometimes exceeds it’s my favorite. When I’m in the zone drawing I have no sense of time. My wife has to yell at me to get my attention and bring me back to the real world. In the end when I step back and look at the finish piece, I’m filled with the joy of accomplishment. Then it’s on to the next ideas.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Darrell Merrill, also known as DM Nerd Artist. I’m a pop artist and mixed media creator who blends traditional hand-drawn work—like pen, pencil, and acrylics—with a digital twist. My art often walks the line between nostalgia and imagination, inspired by the things I grew up loving—anime, comics, movies, and all the wild creativity that comes with them.
I’ve always believed art should feel fun and alive, so I try to build pieces that connect visually and emotionally, whether it’s through bold colors, layered textures, or storytelling inside a single image. Lately, I’ve been exploring ways to bring my art to life through animation and interactive experiences, using tools like Adobe Character Animator and Premiere.
At the heart of it, I want my work to spark curiosity and give people that same sense of wonder that inspired me to start creating in the first place.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
All my life I wanted to be an artist people like my art. Lots of people love it but No one encouraged me to take it to the next level. My ex wife was just waiting on me to just become famous. So I went to work as a DJ 35 plus years waiting for the chance to be and artist.
Until like 12 years ago met my current wife who did a hell of a lot more than Believe in me. She found me my first art show got me and art table and every art supplies you can imagine. I never run out of materials. And if I struggle she’s there to encourage me. She’s my sound board for ideas . Where there is a coal of an idea it turns into a diamond with her help. She’s my Harshest critic and my secret weapon. She keeps me working. And always finds me new shows and contest for me to enter. Thanks to her I’ve been full time artist for 12 happy years
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t wait around for someone else to get your art career going — kick the door open yourself. Do the research, figure it out on your own, and trust that your passion will guide you. Don’t wait until you’re older to start chasing your dream; every sketch, every mistake, and every idea matters. The best time to start is now — and you’re far more capable than you think.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m in my third year of Inktober, and it’s become a yearly commitment I truly look forward to. It takes planning — especially with multiple art shows happening in October — but I love the challenge. This year I created four large pieces for a “Mask Show” and still kept up with my daily Inktober prompts. The process sharpens my speed and consistency, but more than that, it keeps me thinking creatively. Some prompts describe a feeling instead of an object, and finding a way to visualize that is the kind of problem-solving I live for. I think that’s one of my biggest strengths as an artist — interpreting ideas and emotions into something visual that connects with people.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am doing for sure what I was born to do. All my life I looked at things differently stop to notice colors, patterns, etc. I stare at clouds, lines on my hands, the way light shines through a dragonfly’s wings. I would catch lizards and frogs and draw there anatomy before I’d let them go. In school I’d daydream about rockets and super heroes . I hated working in normal jobs and even DJing, which was fun and a creative outlet but it still wasn’t what I was meant to do. Creating artwork is not just making pictures, its my soul on display and my sense of humor. I feel very fulfilled everyday even if I’m not getting rich. I’m doing what I was meant to do without a doubt.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dmnerdartist.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmnerdartist1962/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/?legoTrackingToken=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
- Twitter: https://x.com/DmNerdArtist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darrell.merrill.295269
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@darrellmerrill5794
Image Credits
All Artwork and photography belongs to Darrell Merrill
