Jeff Merrill, an Idaho native, served a mission in Seville, Spain (1990-1992) and earned a B.F.A. in illustration from Brigham Young University (1997). After working as an illustrator for more than a decade he changed his focus to fine art and teaching. In 2011, Jeff earned an M.F.A. in figure painting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and currently teaches painting and drawing at BYU–Hawaii.
EDUCATION
MFA, Figure Painting
The Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA, 2011.
BFA, Illustration
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 1997.
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
Brigham Young University–Hawaii, Laie, Hawaii
Associate Professor, Department of Visual Arts and Communications, April 2017–present
Assistant Professor, Department of Visual Art, July 2011–April 2017
Teach all levels of drawing and painting; curriculum development; courses focus on observation, structure, form, perspective, depth, color, and composition. Upper-level courses advance perception and execution of visual information, and address contemporary conceptual ideologies of expression; faculty advisor for BFA Painting program; art studio management, scheduling, and maintenance; manage student workers and art models; serve on search committees.
Visual Arts Coordinator, 2015–2018
Interim administrative role that includes curriculum development, enrollment, advising, program advocacy, and improvement.
Coordination duties: scheduling, internships, manage adjunct and special instructors, portfolio review and scholarship committees, BFA shows, faculty shows, and facility management.
Program assessment duties: research, prepare, and write program assessment reviews for WASC accreditation.
Recruiting duties: first-year orientation sessions, meet regularly with prospective students and parents; review new, transfer, and change-of-major student portfolios.
Art Archive Curator, 2011–present
Archive and Curatorial Duties: Oversee university art collection; restoration and repair; manage location, distribution, and storage; policy development; manage deaccession, acquisition, and loan of university artworks; participate in university auditing, insurance, and compliance accountability.
Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
Online Instructor, Illustration and Foundations, 2006–2011
Taught foundation and intermediate levels of figure drawing; developed and taught Illustrative Digital Imaging online course; mentored new online instructors.
TEACHING | LIST OF COURSES
Brigham Young University–Hawaii, Laie, Hawaii
ART 112: Drawing Concepts
ART 210: Digital Tools
ART 221R: Figure Drawing
ART 225: Painting Concepts (still life, landscape)
ART 325: Figure Painting (head painting, figure/environment)
ART 335: Watercolor Painting
ART 345: Digital Painting
ART 425: Advanced Painting (contemporary and expressive)
Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
FND 112: Introduction to Figure Drawing
ILL 221: Intermediate Figure Drawing
ILL 233: Illustrative Digital Imaging
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Merrill Fine Art Studio | Orem, UT | Pleasanton, CA | Laie, HI
Fine Artist, 2004–present
Still life, landscape, figure/portrait painter. Featured Artist Door County Plein Air festival, Door County, WI, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016.
Waterford Institute | Provo, UT | Sandy UT
Illustrator and Production Artist, 1996–2003
Illustrated educational children’s books; designed visual appearance and interactive functionality for educational software; created animations, background graphics, and voice-overs.
CV Last Revised 6/11/24