Pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in America, has found an unlikely muse in Meryl Dee Feuer, a lifelong artist who’s turned her paddle passion into paint. From her sunny Westhampton Beach studio, Meryl is pioneering a new genre of art, one where colorful balls bounce across imagined worlds, and surreal stories are told through the geometry of the court.
“I never set out to become the world’s first pickleball artist,” Meryl laughs. “But I play almost every day, and at some point, it just seeped into my imagination. The shape of the ball, the rhythm of the game—it started appearing in my work before I even realized it.”
Her work caught the attention of Dr. Harvey Manes, a prominent art collector, philanthropist, and the author of “Collecting Art for Pleasure and Profit.” He now counts himself as her biggest advocate.
“Meryl is doing something nobody else is doing,” said Manes. “She’s elevating a recreational sport into a visual language that’s bold, emotional, and deeply personal. I told her early on: ‘You may have found your niche. Lean into it.’”
Born and raised in East Meadow, Meryl has been creating since childhood. “I’ve always been creative, making collages, drawing, you name it,” she explains. “Art has always been a part of me.”
She studied film and fine arts at NYU, and though she dabbled in photography and design, it wasn’t until about 15 years ago that she fully embraced painting. Early works focused on florals and American flags—vibrant expressions of color and emotion. But after discovering pickleball, she found her true voice.
“I started seeing stories in the way the ball rolled into a bush or soared into the sky,” Meryl said. “There’s something whimsical and surreal about the game. I try to paint what I feel when I’m playing—the joy, the movement, the focus.”
Her first “pickleball painting” featured a vine entangling a rolling ball. Since then, she’s painted a strawberry pickleball, a Mars-themed ball, and her latest work uses pointillism—dots and color to create a floating, celestial orb. She’s also begun exploring the ball’s roundness as a form of visual therapy. “Painting the ball—trying to get it perfectly round—it’s become meditative for me,” she said.
Dr. Manes, known for his impressive collection and curatorial instincts, was quick to recognize the novelty in Meryl’s work. “I’ve seen thousands of artists,” he said, “but Meryl’s paintings combine technical skill with heart. She’s not just painting a sport, she’s telling stories through it.” He added, “I told her, ‘You can be the Warhol of pickleball—just keep going.’”
The artist took the advice to heart. She has now created a dozen pickleball-themed paintings, some of which she’s sold at art shows and to fellow pickleballers. Her work recently caught the attention of a gallery representative at a Southampton art fair, and she is set to be featured at an upcoming exhibition.
“I didn’t expect people to connect with it so quickly,” she noted. “But pickleball is such a social thing; people who love it really love it. They see themselves in my work.”
Meryl plays often, both in Westhampton Beach and during winter months at the Polo Club in Florida. While she admits she’s on the court “too much,” the game fuels her imagination and artistic energy. “It’s just pure fun,” she says. “When I’m playing, I’m in the moment, not thinking about anything else. That feeling carries into my art.”
Still, she remains grounded. “I’m just starting out. “I’m experimenting with oils, acrylics, spray paints, markers—whatever helps me express an idea,” she said, adding, “Art takes courage. It’s not easy to put something out there. A lot of people think they can’t do it, but I believe if you’re not afraid, you’ll surprise yourself.”
When not painting or playing, Meryl enjoys fine dining, time with her children, and caring for her aging father. “Life’s full,” she says. “But I’m grateful to have art as a way to express myself.”
As for what’s next, she’s open to wherever the paddle—or brush—leads. “You never know where a little yellow ball can take you,” she said, smiling brightly.