When he was diagnosed with autism in his late 30s, he dove into his art. Now, he runs a gallery

After Jay Merriott received his autism diagnosis, he quickly pivoted and decided to immerse himself in what had always made him feel happy: his art.

Jay Merriott's recent autism diagnosis has proven to be a turning point that has redefined his life.

“I didn’t get diagnosed until this last year, and I’m almost 40,” Merriott said. “I always knew there was something different, and I felt like an alien.”

There have been times when he felt socially out of place and he was unsure why, he says. Interactions with others were not always easy. When he was diagnosed, it was a shock. But he quickly pivoted and decided to immerse himself in what had always made him feel happy – his art.

Using vivid colours and abstract images, Merriott has produced hundreds of paintings on canvas.

“I call my art 'trivialism' and the idea behind it is trying to reduce all these art styles into one bigger style that speaks to people,” Merriott said and added he wants people to hear about his experience with autism and be sparked by curiosity to come visit the gallery.

Merriott opened the Von Winkle Art Gallery in Halifax. Producing and sharing his art has allowed him to have meaningful interactions with total strangers, something that seemed impossible in earlier chapters of his life.