Everyday, Extraordinary | Paintings by Karen Merkin

Reception Tuesday, Sept | 4 to 6pm
Everyday, Extraordinary: Paintings by
Karen Merkin
The Gallery at Dover Station presents photorealistic oil paintings by
Maryland artist Karen Merkin
The Gallery at Dover Station is
pleased to present Everyday, Extraordinary: Paintings by
Karen Merkin, on exhibit September 1 through October
21, 2026. A public reception with the artist will be held
Tuesday, September 8, from 4–6 p.m.
Merkin’s photorealistic oil paintings invite viewers to
slow down and look more closely at the familiar. Through
extraordinary attention to light, texture, reflection and
detail, she transforms everyday objects and scenes into
captivating works of art.
Her subjects include still lifes, seascapes and landscapes,
with classic automobiles among her favorite subjects. She
particularly enjoys capturing reflections of the
surrounding environment in polished chrome and glass,
creating paintings that are both technically precise and
visually immersive.
Merkin discovered her love of art at an early age, copying
detailed photographs from books. Years later, encouraged
by her husband, Ray, she began exploring oil painting.
While raising her daughters, she operated a successful
needlepoint business, with her designs featured in stores
and a national needlepoint catalog.
Approximately twelve years ago, Merkin began pursuing
her art full time. Since then, she has continued to refine
her skills through weekly classes and workshops with
internationally recognized artists. Her work has been
accepted into scores of juried group and solo exhibitions
nationally and regionally, earning numerous awards and
becoming part of private collections.
Merkin is an elected associate member of the American
Artists Professional League, International Guild of
Realism, National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society,
and other national and local art organizations. Limited-
edition giclée prints of her classic automobile paintings
are also sold through the Owls Head Transportation
Museum in Maine.
“Karen has an extraordinary ability to make us pause and
truly see,” says Keri Topjian, owner of The Market at
Dover Station. “She finds beauty in details that often go
unnoticed and reminds us that the everyday can become
extraordinary when we take the time to look.”