About Javi

Javier Merino, born and raised in Houston, TX, is known for his meticulously hand built pottery and sculptures. As well as, his eye for soft color combinations that peeks the interest of the viewer. From a young age Javi, along with his brothers, was exposed to his father’s trade in construction. He learned the ins and outs of the trade, though he may have not caught all the details due to his lack of interest, he acquired the necessary knowledge and work ethic to execute his sculpture and ceramics work.

However, Javi was not always invested in the arts. After graduating high school, he was left pathless. In 2015 with no real plan other than a willingness to be of service to others, he enrolled in short program to study Pharmacy tech at PIMA Medical Institute. When Javi graduated PIMA he landed a job as a Pharmacy tech at Walmart Pharmacy in 2016. The job seemed like a dream come true as he initially felt he was part of something good and making a difference in peoples lives. Despite what seemed a positive turn of events for a pathless Javi, things did not always feel so bright. Later that same year, Javi had been wrestling with something internally that was pulling him away from that good job. Along with many life events, he decided to stop fighting the inward calling, which led to him receiving the gift of faith and in the 2017 he quit his job.

That year he found himself pathless again, but not purposeless. Determined to be obedient to the call, Javi began to explore what his next step was going to be. The intention to remain in Houston and be with his family, however the doors to remain at home closed. Despite that, Javi was not put down. After not hearing from colleges in Houston, he received an email from Lamar University stating that he had been accepted there, despite Lamar being a last minute consideration. Without hesitation, Javi decided to go to Lamar University in Beaumont, TX, moving away from family and everything he has ever known was a tough call to make. But he trusted that He who started a good work in him would bring it to completion.

In the fall of 2018 he started Lamar University enrolled as a Psychology major, pursuing Art therapy. it was during this time he became interested in art. He was always designing stickers to help him get through college on his tiny cracked phone. after his first year he was persuaded to switch to an Art major to become acquainted with art. After switching, in 2019, he went through a few rough patches in the world of art. Naturally doubt started to creep in, so he began to express his faith in his work, sculpture and ceramic classes helped develop the delivery of the messages he was trying to convey.

Fast forward to today, after graduating from Lamar University in fall 2023 earning a BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Sculpture. The door to be home opened for Javi as he finds himself back seeking to earn his MFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Ceramics at Houston Christian University. He continues to develop his work to authentically represent the Gospel and hopes that his work can inspire believers to do the same and be unashamed of it.