Altering the images to excite the imagination

Woodmere artists Phyllis and Victor Merriam don’t generally tell people about the photograph they’re looking at as they hope those who view their artwork, which combines digital and traditional printmaking techniques, are stimulated by their imagination.

Their gallery, entitled “Transformation,” at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library consists of almost 50 digital photographs that were altered with various transfer techniques, image manipulation and printmaking methods. “We don’t add to the photograph, we just strip away,” Phyllis said. “We experiment with different paper and are fascinated by technology.”

The couple is inspired by what they see. They always carry cameras with them to capture an image they are fond of. “We find something that interests us and the printing process is not so simple,” Victor said. “Sometimes there are two or three steps because we want to be able to say the image is printed in a unique way.”

Their eight-image reduction woodblock piece “Carrot Drawing,” was completed after they carved an image on a piece of wood, used a propane torch and transferred the charred wood onto paper. “We just thought about it,” Victor said about the technique.

“We were familiar with charcoal drawings so we did it to see what would happen,” Phyllis added.

Rick Fox, the art and music specialist at the Hewlett- Woodmere Library, first learned of them through a colleague and decided to bring the Merriam’s artwork to the library after he attended their gallery showing in Chelsea. “I liked what I saw,” he said. “I knew their work was interesting enough to share with the community. It’s a wonderful exhibit.”

Fox added that artists can either submit a proposal along with samples of their work to be considered for a gallery spot or may be chosen by the library itself. “I try to be aware of what’s out there and I like to feature Long Island-based artists and groups,” he said.

Having their work displayed in their community is thrilling for the couple. “It’s exciting to be in our neighborhood,” Phyllis said. “People stop me on the street and tell me they’ve seen the gallery.”

Although both were born in Brooklyn and attended Stony Brook University together, Phyllis concentrated mainly on ceramics and Victor on woodworking and jewelry making. It wasn’t until five years ago when the duo decided to join forces. “What had to do something that brought us together and each of us knows a different technique,” Phyllis said. “Our ideas are collaborative and it took a lot of work to live together, work together and not kill each other.”

After the exhibit’s run at the library ends in January, the couple is looking forward to having more shows and connecting with other artists. “We’d like to have more public art shows like this,” Phyllis said. “Also possibly getting involved in artist communities throughout Long Island. We’ll see where it takes us.”

“Transformation” will be on exhibit at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library at 1125 Broadway in Hewlett, until Jan. 7. To learn more about the Merriam’s artwork, visit www.phyllisandvictormerriam.com.