Mays Mayhew

FIGURATIVE ARTIST DRAWING FAMILIAR STORIES (MAYBE YOURS) ON PAPER/CANVAS
People who view my work often say that my work creates a story that reflects their own. Quite often, that story is one of overcoming a struggle or peaceful nostalgia.

I am Mays Mayhew, and I create artwork that helps people immerse themselves in stories of overcoming and introspection. The works are skillfully drawn images of women. The repeated figures tell stories in a simple beautiful way. Repetition causes dualities. -Dualities like the literal drawn image juxtapose with the untold story behind the work. I use graphite pencils for the hauntingly beautiful silver monochromic environment they create.

About me: My rural background is grounded in work-ethic-driven farm life. Although a city-dweller for most of my adult life, the farm work ethic enabled a dual career.

After art school, I balanced a corporate career while continually producing art. Now, I am a professional full-time artist who also creates a homestead and homeschools young children.

Education
Figurative oil painting Rhode Island School of Design. (RISD) Providence RI
Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) - studio arts. University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison WI
Studied oil painting and Renaissance art history in Florence, Italy. Florence Italy

SOLO SHOWS

2023 - MAYS MAYHEW, Solo Show, Dole Mansion Art Gallery, Crystal Lake, IL

2022 - MAYS MAYHEW, Solo Show, Water Street Studio, Batavia, IL

2020 - FACE TO FACE. Solo Show, Compassion Factory, Brookfield, IL

- TWICE. Solo Show, Gary Brown Gallery, Aurora, IL

2019 - TOLD. UNTOLD. Solo Show, Blue Moon Gallery, Grayslake, IL

- MAYS MAYHEW RETROSPECTIVE, Starline Factory Gallery, Harvard, IL

2018 - DOPPELGANGER, Solo Show, SXU Gallery, Chicago, IL

2016 - INSIDE THE MIRROR, Solo Show, Morpho Gallery, Chicago, IL

2014 - ADVICE. Solo Show, Adventureland Gallery, Chicago, IL

2012 - DOPPELGANGER, Crescent Gallery, Pulse Miami, FL (During Art Basel / Miami Art Week)

- REFLECT REFLECT, Solo Show, Chicago Arts Loop Alliance, Chicago, IL

2011 - FIND. Solo Show, Art Matrix Gallery / Zhou B Arts Center, Chicago, IL

2010 - ENGAGE. Solo Show, 4 Star Gallery, Indianapolis, IN