Precious Girl
16X16 Mixed Medium
2021
Artist / Activist/ Author
ABOUT
Nell Merlino
Founder & President, Count Me In
Nell Merlino is a leader, activist, and visual artist known for her groundbreaking initiatives empowering women and girls. She is the creator of “Take Our Daughters to Work Day”,
the Make Mine a Million $ Business competitions and the founder of Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence. With her latest innovation, The Female Gaze, she inspires transformation with art made by women to celebrate their power, beauty and creativity. With a life long commitment to increasing women’s visibility, value and voice, Nell encourages women to recognize their values and embrace their amazing lives and historic legacy.
Milestones
1993
TAKE OUR DAUGHTERS TO WORK
Created Take Our Daughters to Work Day with Gloria Steinem to make girls more visible, valued and heard. Mobilized more than 25 million people, setting stage for millions more women to attend college, join the workforce and take leadership positions.
2000
COUNT ME IN
Launched the first online micro loan fund making start up funds available to women in the US. Generated more than 3 billion media mentions drawing attentions to women owned businesses, encouraging their growth and fueling women’s confidence. All three women in the photo won Count Me In competitions that drove their success.
2006
MAKE MINE A MILLION
Designed the Make Mine a Million Business Competition. With support from American Express, Hillary Clinton and Susie Orman, our efforts drove thousands of women to grow their micro business to million dollar enterprises across the country. Dozens of their products are available online and in retail locations nationwide.
2022
CROWN QUEST
Nell discovered the transformational power of the female gaze. In the Crown Quest Workshop she shares her discovery and artistic visualizations with women who are in life, leadership and relationship transitions. With simple instructions beautiful portraits are the powerful result.
Commissions
For generations, women have been defined by how others see us. I invite you to see yourself—your beauty, strength, purpose, and brilliance—through your own eyes.
Book a 20-minute Discovery Call with to explore the process and discuss creating your unique portrait.
Cannabis Queen
16X16
Mixed Medium,
2022
The Female Gaze Project
Qoya Isisara
Mixed Medium
Don’t Buy Shoes, Buy Buildings
20X16 Mixed Medium 2020
I discovered the transformational power of the female gaze when i started making self portraits. Using paint and collage, I revealed images myself and other women that we had not seen before or articulated. The beauty of the female gaze is that it aims to empathize rather than objectify, to show emotions, power and intimacy while always showing respect.
For the first time in human history, the Female Gaze elevates women by drawing attention to visual art created of women by women, starting with portraits. Virtually and live the Female Gaze draws new attention to power, creativity and beauty of women in art.
Pope She
6×8 inches
2021
Host a Workshop
Bring creativity and transformation to your group with a workshop led by Nell Merlino. Through artistic exploration and storytelling, participants will uncover new perspectives, embrace their achievements, and foster deeper connections. Perfect for individuals, teams, or clubs, these workshops inspire growth, collaboration, and self-discovery.
Partner with Nell
Join us in empowering women through art and transformation. Sponsorship opportunities and collaboration options are available to support this inspiring initiative. Together, we can celebrate women’s stories, foster creativity, and amplify their voices. Let’s create meaningful change—be a part of this journey!
Pearls of Wisdom
20X16, mixed Medium, 209