Artists Bio:
James Russell May was born in Savannah, GA, and is a graduate of The Savannah College of Art and Design. He spent the years following graduation living in Savannah, drawing inspiration from the city. In 2005 he moved to Louisville KY, adopting a more realistic style and technique. He has since had multiple solo shows and has participated in exhibitions throughout the country.
May’s current work is influenced by various historic styles of painting filtered through experience of the contemporary world. The paintings blend realistic oil techniques with experimental use of media and surfaces.
C.V.
EDUCATION:
1991- Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Savannah College of Art and Design
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2023– "Paintings on Metal", Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery, New Albany, IN
2020- “Retrospective”, Art Sanctuary, Louisville, KY
2018- “New Paintings”, Art Sanctuary, Louisville, KY
2017- “Flora + Fauna”, Tim Faulkner Gallery, Louisville,KY
2015 – “Menagerie”, Tim Faulkner Gallery, Louisville, KY
2014 – “Duality”, Krempp Gallery, Jasper, IN
2013 - “Epiphanies”, Tim Faulkner Gallery, Louisville, KY
2013 -“Figuratively Speaking”, The Crary Gallery, Warren, PA
2012 -“Peripheral”, Tim Faulkner Gallery, Louisville, KY
2011 - “Chrysalis”, Tim Faulkner Gallery, Louisville, KY
2010 - “Arcadia”, Tim Faulkner Gallery, Louisville, KY
2010 -“Orbis Terrarum”, Tim Faulkner Gallery, Louisville, KY
2009 -“The Painted Veil”, The Kaviar Gallery, Louisville, KY
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS:
2025- "Out of Body: New Narratives in Figurative Art", Not Real Art, Virtual Exhibition
2024- "2024 Ohio Valley Biennial"(Best Painting Award), Louisville KY
2023- Nude Biennial(Top Prize), Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY
2023- “A Show of Heads”, Limner Gallery, Hudson, NY
2022- “Artful Connections”, The Owensboro Museum of Fine Art, Owensboro KY
2020 - “Permanent And Natural”, The Carnegie Center for Art & History, New Albany, IN
2017- Artist Professional Development Grant, Great Meadows Foundation
2018 – 79th Annual Art Show (Grand Prize), The Woman’s Club of Louisville,
Louisville, KY
2015-2016- Artist-in-Residence, Art Sanctuary, Louisville, KY
2015- Featured exhibition, Lagerquist Gallery, Atlanta, GA.
2014 – “Tales Told”, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
2014 – 76th Annual Art Show (First Place), The Woman’s Club of Louisville,
Louisville, KY
2014 – “Nude Attitude”, Peoria Art Guild (3rd Place), Peoria, IL
2012 – 74th Annual Art Show (First Place), The Woman’s Club of Louisville,
Louisville, KY
2011 - “Harvest”, Reverie Gallery, Louisville, KY
2010 - “Surreal Salon”, Baton Rouge Gallery, Baton Rouge, LA
2009 - Nude International 2009, Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY
2009 - “Artists In Our Midst” (Best in Show), Kaviar Gallery, Louisville, KY
2008 - Forecastle Festival 2008, Louisville, KY
2008 - Nude International 2008(Top Prize), Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY