Ksenia J. Merck
Architect, Artist, Author
Ksenia J. Merck, AIA, NCARB is a Program Manager for large scale Airport Capital Programs in Orlando. She is an architect-artist who moves between structure and visionary worlds. With a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech, she has spent more than four decades in the industry—yet her creative spirit finds its fullest expression in the vivid strokes of her sketchbook.
Her illustrations add depth and dimension to the narrative, visually echoing the story’s emotional scale and cosmic scope. The Ghost Flower Companion Journal (authored by Ksenia) further complements the Ghost Flower book with quotes and philosophical questions to inspire the reader to reflect and draw their own conclusions.
A lifelong lover of art, art history, and architecture, Ksenia draws deep inspiration from her travels with Bill, capturing dramatic scenes that depict their shared adventures. Her work is fueled by a fascination with life, the afterlife, and the cosmic wonders of the universe—souls and stars colliding in vibrant hues. Each sketch is a playful exploration of symbology, infused with the architectural precision of her training.
Ksenia’s latest published illustrations appear in Ghost Flower, a genre-blending science fiction novel written by her late husband, William F. Merck II and the Ghost Flower Companion Journal. The artwork was created to complement the book’s epic tale of space, time, and fate—a story where love transcends eras, and humanity’s survival depends on timeless connections.
When she’s not painting, dreaming up new designs, or communing with nature, you might find Ksenia gazing at the night sky and contemplating the mysteries that lie beyond. Originally from Arizona, she now calls Florida home while spending time in the Southwest—not far from where her artistic journey began.