The studio
The movement and the vision
Spiritual, intentional art and transformative philosophies created for real people carrying real weight.
Paint Yourself Happy is an expressive arts and spiritual mindfulness movement founded by Joshua Merritt under Stract Studios. The work sits on the AERR path \u2014 Acknowledge, Embrace, Release, Replace \u2014 and on the stubborn human act of making something honest. No perfect paintings. No pretending.
Disclaimer
Paint Yourself Happy is an expressive arts and spiritual mindfulness movement. Joshua Merritt is an ordained ministerial practitioner and artist, not a licensed physician, psychologist, or mental health therapist. AERR and the artwork are for personal expression and spiritual growth, not medical or mental health treatment. If you are in crisis in the United States, call or text 988.
Meet the team
The people bringing Stract Studios and Paint Yourself Happy to life.
Joshua Merritt
Founder & Creator
The primary intellectual motivator and author behind the movement, the Paint Yourself Happy series, and the standalone book Becoming.
Laura Merritt
Studio Partner
Key team member and collaborative force behind the Paint Yourself Happy movement.
Tyler Merritt
Technical Developer
Joshua’s firstborn son and day-one collaborator. Handles the studio’s technical and development work.
Aiyana Merritt
Public Relations
Tyler’s wife and the bridge between Stract Studios and the community.
Founder & Author
Joshua Merritt
Joshua Merritt is the creator and author behind Stract Studios, the Paint Yourself Happy movement, the Paint Yourself Happy book series, and the standalone book Becoming.
As an ordained Dudeist Priest, artist, and author, Joshua formulated the AERR (Acknowledge, Embrace, Release, Replace) framework to bridge raw emotional truth with physical, intentional art-making.
The movement was built for anyone who needs more than a cheerful slogan and a blank page. No perfect paintings. No pretending. Just color, courage, and the stubborn human act of making something honest.
Studio Partner
Laura Merritt
Laura Merritt is a key creative collaborator and studio partner for Paint Yourself Happy.
Details coming soon.
Technical Developer
Tyler Merritt
As Joshua\u2019s firstborn son and a day-one collaborator, Tyler Merritt handles the team\u2019s technical and development work. He is the digital backbone of Stract Studios \u2014 keeping the lights on and the vision reachable through a crafted online sanctuary.
Public Relations
Aiyana Merritt
Aiyana Merritt is Tyler\u2019s wife and the team\u2019s public relations lead. She works to safeguard the community, manage outreach, and make sure anyone who meets Paint Yourself Happy feels seen, heard, and supported.