The only thing more captivating than his artwork was the effervescent spirit of the beloved artist himself as former Newtown resident David Merrill joined Newtown Lions Club and local art lovers at C.H. Booth Library for a special signing of his new book, David K. Merrill’s Lifetime of Painting.

The local visionary is currently being showcased in a major library exhibit, where dozens gathered Sunday, May 7, to view his works up close and personal and get their books, prints, and original works signed by the artist.

Also in attendance were two of his children, David Merrill Jr and Cindy McPhee, as well as his granddaughter Colleen McPhee.

The paintings were generously provided for the exhibit by Doug and Joyce Fedorko from their personal collection, the majority of which they keep at their home in Shelton. Merrill and Doug Fedorko have a friendship spanning over four decades, ever since Fedorko began working as a tech ed teacher at Masuk High in the 80s.

At one point, when the artist’s framer passed away, Fedorko took on the task of creating the wooden barn frames for some of Merrill’s works.

Over the years, Fedorko’s collection continued to grow and Merrill was asked to just “paint from his head” instead of requesting specific commissions. He crafted at least ten paintings that way, including works like “Blowing Snow,” “Supper Time,” and “As Darkness Falls.”

Another work, entitled “Doug’s House,” also has an interesting backstory. When the Fedorkos were asked to assist in moving a mural from Masuk High to Monroe’s Edith Wheeler Library in 2007, Merrill painted their house as a token of appreciation for their efforts.

It’s no surprise that Fedorko’s father told him to buy anything that Merrill paints because “he will be the next Norman Rockwell.” The Fedorkos plan to keep their collection in the family and pass it down for the next generation to enjoy.

At one point, Merrill revealed the stories behind several of his works, including “Approaching Storm,” which he painted entirely in one day as his first wife Natalie was dying from Hodgkin’s disease.

He also shared the similar sentiment behind “The Birches,” which he lovingly refers to as his “Taj Mahal piece” for her, as previously reported in The Newtown Bee.

Another emotional piece was “Stars And Stripes in Remembrance,” well known to locals as The Flag Trees Memorial just east of the Bethel border on Dodgingtown Road in Dodgingtown, which he described as “a symbol of love for our country.”

Merrill was commissioned to paint the unfurling American flag on a stand of trees owned by the late Howard Lasher as a post-9/11 tribute to many co-workers Lasher lost in the attack.

Many of Merrill’s other works feature personal touches such as a family dog, a snowman, or symbolism relating to family members as depicted in his beloved piece, “The Birches.”

“Every painting has a journey,” he said.

With 24 murals and over 50 years of painting under his belt, Merrill isn’t slowing down anytime soon. At 87 years young, he said artists tend to live longer since they need to finish the painting they’re working on.

Later while describing the beauty of his home state, the painter remarked, “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

Merrill. who now resides in Southbury, will continue to have his art featured until May 31 at C.H. Booth Library.

Jackie Genovese is a freelance Newtown Bee reporter/photographer living in Easton.