Mercedes spent most of her life living in cities by the water, where she grew up in sunny Southern California. Her studies led her to San Francisco where she was exposed to the emerging west coast art scene. Mercedes did her graduate studies in Boston, MA where she immersed herself in the rich & age-old art culture. She often wandered through the monolithic museums of Boston & New York and stood in front of many Rembrandts & Titians. Mercedes' paintings are inspired by both the natural landscapes and the geometric juxtapositions of the man-made cityscapes. She currently lives and works in the rainy city of Seattle, WA.