Ross Mercer / Ross Mercer Fine Art

Ross began painting seriously in 2012, drawing inspiration from a background in mathematics and physics. Self-taught and experimental, Ross’s large-scale abstract works often feature hidden equations or references to scientific milestones. His art explores the intersection of physics and creativity, with themes ranging from quantum mechanics to gravitational waves.

Ross Mercer

Ross Mercer / Ross Mercer Fine Art

More About Me

From 1975 to 2012, my life revolved around physics. Alongside my wife, I ran two businesses that specialized in applied physics, consulting for hundreds of medical facilities across several states. Art was more of a hobby during that time—pen and ink drawings, a few watercolors, and a night class in basic art. But once I retired in 2012, I finally had the freedom to fully explore my passion for painting.

I started with smaller canvases, but now most of my work is on a larger scale, up to five feet square. I’m mostly self-taught, and my art is all abstract, though I often weave in elements of my past career. Sometimes it’s subtle, like an equation hidden in the layers of paint; other times, it’s a clear nod to a scientific event. Some of my paintings feature math riddles or explore scientific milestones—Isaac Newton’s color wheel, Max Planck’s quantum mechanics, and even a series inspired by the discovery of gravitational waves.

Lately, we’ve ventured into turning my abstract paintings into wearable art, which has opened up a whole new creative avenue for me. I’ve also had the chance to speak on the fascinating intersection of physics and art, a topic that continues to inspire me every day.