Charles Roland Mercer, Salty Dreams

C. Roland Mercer, presently residing in Hilo, Hawaii was born in Bussum, Holland in 1956. Having been inspired in Europe by the help of an artistic mother and many trips to the great museums, Roland began his dream - to walk the road of an artist. On his journey, many events transpired; moving to Hawaii at the age of 8, serving an apprenticeship under John Charlot while still in his teens, winning the Ford Foundation traveling grant with which he traveled to the continental U.S. and Europe visiting major art museums throughout 1981, receiving his BFA from the University of Hawaii, Manoa in 1982, and participating in many juried shows locally and nationally, in addition to his own solo shows. As a young and free boy, Roland adventured by the seashore. Now as an adult, he concentrates his artistic energies to evoke the spirit of the sea which is precious and inspirational to him.
(source: Artist statement from the exhibition Artists Working in Hawaii, held at the CNG, March 1-29, 1985)