About

The life, inspiration, and legacy of Merrill Coffin – an artist who found beauty in the natural world and shared it through his paintings.

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A LIFE IN ART

Merrill Coffin

Merrill Coffin was an American artist known for his detailed and beautifully rendered paintings of landscapes, wildlife, rural life and still life’s. His work reflects a deep love of nature and a keen eye for the light, color and quiet moments that define the American countryside.

Merrill lived in Jamestown, New York, where he had a dedicated studio off his living room. The studio overlooked the fields on Martin Road, a view that provided endless inspiration. He worked from photographs that he took on his travels to New England and from the scenes, wildlife and everyday beauty he found in his neighborhood and surrounding communities.,

Throughout his paintings, Merrill captured the character of the land, the charm of rural life, and the peaceful moments in nature that so many of us hold dear.

EARLY LIFE & EDUCATION

Merrill Coffin was born November 4th, 1924 in the city of Jamestown, New York to George and Lillian Anderson Coffin.

In 3rd grade, a pencil sketch of Washington crossing the Delaware was hung in the prncipal’s office for the full year. He began courses in junior high,. Curing his high school years, he helped on the Art Staff for the Annual. With his natural ability and what he learned in high school he started that summer working at a burg Sign. After this experience, he majored in art through high school and graduated in 1942 from Jamestown High School.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

After high school, he continued with his skill s first with Carnahan Shears for two years as a window decorator and sign maker.

Merrill became the head designer and artist at Union National Furniture Company from 1945-1948, only three years after graduating high school. Here he helped establish the chinoiserie form of furniture design from the company. Developing his skills and stepping out on his own, he then decided to establish his own business with his brother and father. the business, which was nationally known as Decorolac, flourished from the years 1948-1954. Decorlac specialized in the chinoiserie furniture that Merrill helped define at Union National. It was during this time in his life that he took the famous artist course in Westport Connecticut in 1950.

As the advertising manager and art director at Arno Jamestown, a division of Aetna Steel Corp, he designed all the stateroom in the atomic-powered cargo ship the USS Savannah , the only on in existence at the time. Also, for Motor Company seat cover were designed by Mr. Coffin in their Ranch Wagon of the 1950s. After helping to establish Arno, Merrill once again change positions. He took over the position of Bice President of Sales and Marketing and was on the Board of Directors of Adonlack.

LATER YEARS & LEGACY

After retirement, he focused on his painting. First creating works in oil then adopting acrylic paint for the flexible use and quick drying. He was strict realistic painter, with no patience for cubism, surrealism or modern art. He greatly respected the old masters and admired Norman Rockwell and Andrew Wyeth who were actively participating in the world of art during this time.

Mr Coffin’s work can be seen throughout Chautauqua County in many forms. Throughout the early 1950s, his work was featured in the local newspaper, the Post Journal, with political and well as general cartoonist. For those who have traveled to Midway and have ridden the miniature train, you may remember the animals and characters that he designed and painted. The local dairy farm on Martin Road, Nelson Dairy used his logo on milk jars. His work was also used in Elcee collectibles.