Seattle-based artist Merlot brings nearly two decades of experience to the world of contemporary graffiti art, blending bold letterforms with a clean, modern aesthetic. Influenced by her Vietnamese heritage, global travels, and background in graphic design, Merlot’s work transforms traditional graffiti into simplified, striking compositions that resonate with diverse audiences. Known for her playful approach to typography and vibrant color palettes, she continues to push creative boundaries—making her a standout voice in today’s urban art scene. In this exclusive interview, Merlot shares insights into her artistic process, challenges, and inspirations behind her latest piece.

What is your artist name you like to go by?

My artist name is Merlot and I’m currently based in Seattle, WA.

What inspired the piece you’re showing?

I've always had a love for letters and experimenting with bold color combinations. For this piece, I wanted to create something fun and enjoyable to work on—something that uses my letter “M”, in a fun playful way.

How did the concept evolve from your initial idea?

My concepts almost always evolve as I work. Typically, the tools I use or the way things look as they come together push me in new directions—sometimes the paint doesn’t behave the way I expect, or a color combo doesn’t quite hit, so I pivot a bit and see where it takes me. I try to embrace that process and just go with the flow, knowing that what I end up with is often even more interesting than what I first imagined.

What was the most challenging part of creating it?

Honestly, the biggest challenge was the format. I gave myself a very narrow canvas, which is different from my usual style—normally I work big, with wide, horizontal compositions. I wanted to film a process reel this time, so I thought: why not use a size and ratio similar to a phone screen? Working within those constraints was tricky at first, but ultimately it pushed me to think more creatively about composition.

What was the most rewarding moment?

Finishing a piece is always the best part. I have a lot of fun while I paint, but I can be pretty hard on myself—perfectionism kicks in, and I can’t seem to walk away until every detail feels just right. So that final moment, when I step back, snap a photo, and see the whole piece complete—I get this little sense of relief and accomplishment. That feeling is what keeps me coming back.

Did the final piece differ from your original vision?

I’m a crazy planner—I need to sketch everything out so I can just focus on painting when the time comes. Even so, the final piece always ends up different from the original sketch. I’ll make last-minute changes to colors or placement because finding the perfect balance is what matters most to me. It’s a blend of preparation and improvisation, and that combination always keeps the process fresh.

Are there details in the piece that are particularly meaningful to you?

Absolutely—the letter “M” is very meaningful for me. When I started writing “Merlot” back in 2008, I actually struggled to draw the letter “M” in a way I liked. With my love for balanced compositions, starting with M and ending with T was definitely a challenge. It took me over a decade to really be happy with my rendition of that letter. Now, it feels almost like a personal signature, as I use a similar M base across my pieces.

What tools or techniques were essential?

Caps are everything for me, especially in this piece where I worked smaller than usual. Having the right cap lets me control the width of my lines and get those really fine details. I actually really like the Rust-O Red outline cap with Rust-O cans, since they let me get a good variety of line weights while still feeling precise.

How do you hope people feel when they see it?

My hope is that people just find it fun—and maybe feel a bit inspired by the simplicity. I gravitate towards clean, minimal designs—a lot of my favorite pieces have just three or four colors, maybe even monochromatic. I hope someone sees my work and realizes that you don’t need to go over the top; sometimes, the basics are just as powerful.

What did you learn while making it?

Each piece teaches me something new really. With this one, I actually learned a lot more about Rust-O. Every time I use a new product, I discover things—different cap types, techniques, color options, and how the paint behaves. Getting to know my materials inside and out makes me more confident going into future pieces.

If someone took away one message from the piece, what would it be?

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try new ideas, mess around with colors and styles, and—most importantly—just have fun with it. There’s so much growth in just letting yourself play.

Any last words?

I’ve genuinely enjoyed working with Rust-O—the paint is great quality, and I’m happy with the results I’ve been getting. I always encourage people to try something different, and I’d definitely recommend giving Rust-O a shot if you haven’t already.