{"title":"Urban Wildlife","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis collection began with simply paying closer attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eUrban Wildlife\u003c\/i\u003e is a series of original oil and mixed media paintings inspired by the wildlife living alongside us—often unseen, yet very much present in our everyday environments. This body of work focuses on animals observed in the Pacific Northwest, including coyotes, hummingbirds, and hawks, each captured through moments of connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePainted on small, gallery-wrapped canvas, these original artworks feature a limited, earthy palette of soft blues, warm browns, and subtle touches of orange. Expressive brushwork and layered textures create depth while maintaining a sense of calm and cohesion across the collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom bold, direct gazes to softer, fleeting encounters, each piece invites a closer look—encouraging a sense of awareness, curiosity, and connection with the natural world, even in urban spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese contemporary wildlife paintings are designed to bring a sense of peaceful presence and serene beauty into your home, making them especially suited for intimate spaces such as bedrooms, gallery walls, or areas of reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach painting is one of a kind and part of a small, limited series.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"just-stellar","title":"Just Stellar Original Bird Painting","description":"\u003cp\u003eSome moments don’t ask to be interpreted—they simply arrive, bold and undeniable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart of the\u003ci\u003e Urban Wildlife\u003c\/i\u003e art collection, \u003ci\u003eJust Stellar\u003c\/i\u003e captures the unmistakable presence of a Steller’s Jay through expressive, abstract mark making and saturated color. Vivid blues and rich blacks form the foundation of this original oil painting with mixed media, punctuated by touches of orange that bring a sense of movement and vitality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than focusing on precise detail, this painting leans into the feeling of the encounter—the flash of blue, the sharp awareness, the boldness that seems to announce itself before you fully realize what you’re seeing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteller’s Jays are hard to ignore. Intelligent, curious, and unapologetically present, they carry a kind of energy that shifts the atmosphere around them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis piece is a reflection of that presence—vivid, dynamic, and simply… stellar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 9\" x 12\" artwork will ship unframed. It has been painted on gallery wrapped canvas with finished, painted edges so it can be displayed unframed if desired. Items other than the painting in photographs are for illustration only and will not ship with the art.  All of my art is copyrighted to me and copyrights are not transferable with sale.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Marieke Mertz Art","offers":[{"title":"9\" x 12\" x 1.5\" \/ Oil Painting with Mixed Media","offer_id":49066844684530,"sku":null,"price":220.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0739\/2346\/1362\/files\/StellerJayPaintingJustStellarsmall.png?v=1776303550"},{"product_id":"coyote-connection","title":"Coyote Connection Original Wildlife Painting","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis original oil with mixed media painting began with both seeing and hearing the coyotes that move through my urban neighborhood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart of the \u003ci\u003eUrban Wildlife\u003c\/i\u003e series, this painting captures a coyote not in motion, but in presence—meeting the viewer with a steady, open gaze. There is no urgency here, no retreat—just a quiet exchange that suggests awareness on both sides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePainted in a limited palette of soft blues and warm earth tones, with subtle touches of orange, the piece leans into simplicity and restraint. Layers of mixed media and abstract mark making echo the complexity of the environments these animals navigate—urban and wild, visible and unseen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCoyotes are remarkably adaptable, moving through human spaces with intelligence, resourcefulness, and a sensitivity to their surroundings. This piece reflects that balance—an animal fully attuned, responding and aware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eCoyote Connection\u003c\/i\u003e invites a moment of reflection on the balance between instinct and awareness, and the untamed, intuitive parts of ourselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its grounded tones and steady presence, this piece is especially well suited for a living space, entryway, or study—somewhere it can be encountered often, offering a quiet moment of recognition and connection throughout the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 8\" x 10\" artwork will ship unframed. It has been painted on gallery wrapped canvas with finished, painted edges so it can be displayed unframed if desired. Items other than the painting in photographs are for illustration only and will not ship with the art.\u003cspan\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eAll of my art is copyrighted to me and copyrights are not transferable with sale.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Marieke Mertz Art","offers":[{"title":"8\" x 10\" x 1.5\" \/ Oil Painting with Mixed Media","offer_id":49066847863026,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0739\/2346\/1362\/files\/CoyoteConnectionPaintingsmall.png?v=1776385775"},{"product_id":"pure-joy","title":"Pure Joy Hummingbird Original Painting","description":"\u003cp\u003eSome moments feel almost weightless—fleeting, bright, and full of delight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart of the \u003ci\u003eUrban Wildlife\u003c\/i\u003e art collection, \u003ci\u003ePure Joy\u003c\/i\u003e captures the lightness of a hummingbird in motion, suspended against a soft, abstract background of gentle blues and neutral tones. The brushstrokes are airy and expressive, allowing the form to emerge with a sense of movement rather than precision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere’s a sweetness to the presence of a hummingbird—small yet vibrant, delicate yet full of energy. This piece leans into that feeling, offering a moment that feels both uplifting and calm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts soft palette and intimate scale make it a natural fit for a bedroom or a small space—somewhere it can quietly bring a sense of beauty, joy, and lightness to the everyday.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003ePure Joy\u003c\/i\u003e is a reminder of the simple, often overlooked moments that have the power to lift us, even on challenging days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 8\" x 10\" artwork will ship unframed. It has been painted with professional quality oil paint and mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas with finished, painted edges so it can be displayed unframed if desired. Items other than the painting in photographs are for illustration only and will not ship with the art.\u003cspan\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eAll of my art is copyrighted to me and copyrights are not transferable with sale.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Marieke Mertz Art","offers":[{"title":"8\" x 10\" x 1.5\" \/ Oil Painting with Mixed Media","offer_id":49067478974706,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0739\/2346\/1362\/files\/HummingbirdPaintingPureJoysmall.png?v=1776315813"},{"product_id":"raising-eyebrows","title":"Red Tailed Hawk Raising Eyebrows Original Bird Painting","description":"\u003cp\u003eSome encounters hold a certain intensity—steady, alert, and impossible to ignore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart of the \u003ci\u003eUrban Wildlife\u003c\/i\u003e series, \u003ci\u003eRaising Eyebrows\u003c\/i\u003e captures the direct gaze of a Red-tailed Hawk, meeting the viewer with a bold and unmistakable presence. There’s a sharpness in its expression—almost questioning—that gives the piece its name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePainted with expressive brushwork, warm browns and rich orange tones define the hawk against a cool, abstract blue background. The contrast creates both tension and clarity, echoing the way these birds stand out so distinctly when spotted—whether soaring above or perched and observing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere’s something deeply perceptive about a hawk’s gaze. This piece leans into that feeling, inviting a moment of pause… as if you’ve been noticed just as much as you’ve been observing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eRaising Eyebrows\u003c\/i\u003e is a painting about presence, awareness, and the courage to be yourself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 9\" x 12\" artwork will ship unframed. It has been painted with professional quality oil paint and mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas with finished, painted edges so it can be displayed unframed if desired. Items other than the painting in photographs are for illustration only and will not ship with the art.  All of my art is copyrighted to me and copyrights are not transferable with sale.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Marieke Mertz Art","offers":[{"title":"9\" x 12\" x 1.5\" \/ Oil Painting with Mixed Media","offer_id":49071751102706,"sku":null,"price":220.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0739\/2346\/1362\/files\/RedTailedHawkPaintingRaisingEyebrowssmall.png?v=1776386317"},{"product_id":"a-worthwhile-pause","title":"Hummingbird Original Bird Painting A Worthwhile Pause","description":"\u003cp\u003eNot every productive moment is in motion. Some ask us to be still.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart of the \u003ci\u003eUrban Wildlife\u003c\/i\u003e series, \u003ci\u003eA Worthwhile Pause\u003c\/i\u003e captures a hummingbird at rest—perched quietly on a branch, yet fully present. There’s a subtle contrast here: a bird so often associated with constant movement, caught in a moment of stillness instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePainted with expressive brushwork, warm rusty oranges and soft whites bring the hummingbird forward against a cool, abstract blue background. The interplay of color and texture creates a sense of calm while naturally drawing the viewer inward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere’s an intimacy to this piece—a quiet invitation to linger a little longer. To notice. To rest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Worthwhile Pause\u003c\/i\u003e reflects the idea that rest is not idle, but essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 9\" x 12\" artwork will ship unframed. It has been painted with professional quality oil paint and mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas with finished, painted edges so it can be displayed unframed if desired. Items other than the painting in photographs are for illustration only and will not ship with the art.  All of my art is copyrighted to me and copyrights are not transferable with sale.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Marieke Mertz Art","offers":[{"title":"9\" x 12\" x 1.5\" \/ Oil Painting with Mixed Media","offer_id":49071756869874,"sku":null,"price":220.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0739\/2346\/1362\/files\/HummingbirdPaintingAWorthwhilePausesmall.png?v=1776386450"},{"product_id":"side-eye","title":"Red Tailed Hawk Original Wildlife Painting Side Eye","description":"\u003cp\u003eSome moments draw you in quietly—unexpected, yet hard to look away from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart of the \u003ci\u003eUrban Wildlife\u003c\/i\u003e art collection, \u003ci\u003eSide Eye\u003c\/i\u003e captures a Red-tailed Hawk in a more subtle, intimate expression. The sideways glance creates a sense of curiosity and engagement—less commanding than expected, yet all the more compelling because of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePainted with expressive brushwork, warm browns and soft tans are layered with a hint of rusty orange, emerging against a cool, abstract blue background. The color palette brings a sense of serenity while allowing the personality of the bird to take center stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere’s something unexpectedly approachable in this moment—a reminder that even the most powerful and majestic creatures can carry a sense of gentleness and endearing presence that draws us closer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its neutral palette and engaging presence, \u003ci\u003eSide Eye \u003c\/i\u003eworks beautifully in a bedroom, hallway, or smaller space—anywhere it can bring a moment of nature's beauty and warmth into the everyday.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 8\" x 10\" artwork will ship unframed. It has been painted with professional quality oil paint and mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas with finished, painted edges so it can be displayed unframed if desired. Items other than the painting in photographs are for illustration only and will not ship with the art.\u003cspan\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eAll of my art is copyrighted to me and copyrights are not transferable with sale.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Marieke Mertz Art","offers":[{"title":"8\" x 10\" x 1.5\" \/ Oil Painting with Mixed Media","offer_id":49071786393842,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0739\/2346\/1362\/files\/RedTailedHawkPaintingSideEyesmall.png?v=1776387755"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0739\/2346\/1362\/collections\/Stellers_Jay_Original_Painting_Just_Stellar_Mock_Up_2_small_48669176-9e14-4757-ade8-91d6030ed835.jpg?v=1776296699","url":"https:\/\/www.mariekemertz.com\/collections\/urban-wildlife.oembed","provider":"Marieke Mertz Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}