The unconventional materials Wagner used within her work have evolve with time. The range of materials were found in everything around her from the booming industrial city to the wide plains of Pennsylvania and Tacoma, Washington. The use of canvas, linen, tape, slate, and steel to create site specific, large explorations into color. Wagner’s work records what is already in the landscape through the study of time or from memory of the moments spent in the landscape. By painted sun trails Wagner highlights and observes something that is already present verses independent mark making.
Lily Pendery is working as Merrill Wagner’s studio assistant for the past two and a half years, tasked with the job of archiving her work. Pendery presented herself almost as Wagner’s mind. Their connection runs deep where Lily appears to be Merrill’s voice and her memories Through her time working with the retired artist it was obvious she gathered so much information on Wagner’s life, art, and process.