We had the good fortune of connecting with Mer Young and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mer, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
Mycelium, electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun and how the moon reflects that light, zonular fibers and ciliary body of persons eye, how we see as a people, a pulse, microorganisms, how the airflows, how the water moves and speaks. What is not to be inspired by beyond what is here on this living planet.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I create visuals that communicate stories in hopes to inspire change. I paint murals as well and am a community arts teacher. What I am most proud of is working with the youth and seeing them together as a collective to create something that is lasting and impactful. I have been in the art industry for more than 20 years and experienced many highs and lows, even today, I still experience them but I continue to share my creative visions never a dim wavering flame but an attempt of mirroring a constant flow of water.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend were visiting I would take them to places where I find a little peace away from the everyday buckets of norm. If they are hungry we’d visit mom and pop eateries to support locally, normally I would just make food. We’d visit tea and book houses as well. There would be a lot of nature walks and mountain river steps. My favorite is Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to my son, Ira, moms, sister, relatives, friends, N.Young-Kite, K. Richardson, A. Zaragoza-Petty, A. Fierro, L. Ichiyama, S. Valencia, brother-cousin, Eva and Adolfo Arteaga, Xōchipilli Capulli, Yaya, J. Fenderson, and to all my ancestors. Shoutout to the inner-city humming birds, bees, butterflies, raccoons, opossums, pill bugs, silver fish, trash collectors, caretakers, librarians, urban farm workers, service folk and all underrepresented communities. I have immense love for you.

Website: https://www.meryoung.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngmer/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mer-young-12b3a63b

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youngmerart/

Image Credits
Mer Young

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