Picture books hold a kind of quiet magic, where words and art come together to open hidden doors of imagination. Beyond the Book invites viewers to step through those doors and rediscover the spark of wonder we once felt as children, when every turn of the page promised a new world waiting to be explored.
Through sketches, concept art, and finished illustrations from my upcoming picture books, this exhibition offers a peek behind the scenes at how ideals grow into stories and art becomes storytelling. Alongside these works are larger fine art pieces that blur the line between gallery and storybook, inviting playful interaction through pop-up and lift-the-flap elements that turn looking into doing.
At its heart, this show is a love letter to creativity itself. It is about connection, imagination, and rediscovering the parts of ourselves that still believe in magic. I hope Beyond the Book reminds us that creativity is not something we outgrow; it is something we carry with us, quietly waiting to be reawakened.
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Merry Miller-Gass is a children’s book illustrator whose art has appeared in magazines, picture books, and galleries across California. Her work celebrates the wonder of storytelling and the ways creativity builds empathy and connection. Originally from Bentura County, she now lives in the Central Valley, sketching, painting, and exploring the magic that happens when imagination meets heart.
Her illustrations appear in several upcoming traditionally published picture books, including Duck, Duck, Groove and Rover Rolled Over (Spring 2026), and No Love Potion and Pioneer Tree (Fall 2026). When she’s not illustrating, Merry can often be found teaching art workshops, collaborating with local arts organizations, or perfecting her pizza dough.
Merry is represented by Liz Nealon of Great Dog Literary Agency.