Genevieve May is an artist based in New York City, celebrated for her distinctive fusion of abstraction and figurative realism. Coming from a diverse creative background, including painters, authors, filmmakers, fashion designers, sculptors and musicians, she embraces different mediums to convey the human experience. Her work often integrates elements of fashion, music and calligraphic poetry, creating a dynamic interplay between identity and visual expression. She considers herself a story teller while aiming to achieve an illustrative experience with a contemporary flair.
Raised in a renovated tobacco barn in a rural town outside of Northampton, Massachusetts, Genevieve May was born the daughter of accomplished artists and authors, Dennis Nolan and Lauren Mills. Genevieve remembers many formative trips to museums, art classes, and gallery openings. As a child she studied classical drawing and painting with her parents and later studied figure drawing under accomplished artist, Hollis Dunlap at Lyme Academy all before the age of fifteen. Upon entering high school she took credited college courses in egg tempera painting and in addition, studied watercolor and fresco painting in Europe with Jeremiah Patterson and Fred Wessel. In 2014, Genevieve studied color theory with Graydon Parrish who very much became a mentor to her in the years to come. Upon finishing her certification in color theory, she studied cadaver life drawing with Michael Grimaldi at Stamford University. Here she was able to practice the old renaissance tradition of dissecting human bodies in order to improve figurative drawing skills. She attributes her knowledge and deep understanding of the human form to this intensive with Grimaldi.
This international influence deeply informs her innovative approach to art today. Upon graduating with a degree in Fine Art and Illustration from the Hartford Art School she painted for the renowned pop artist Jeff Koons, while also apprenticing for Brad Kunkle. Her apprenticeship with Kunkle gave her knowledge and skills in gilding which later became an influence in her work.
Genevieve’s works have been published in the various publications including the Artist Renewal Center, Beautiful Bizarre Magazine and the American Art collector. She has participated in group shows as well as solo shows in both museums and galleries around the world.
Gallery exhibitions:
Solo Show, Painting Strangers, EBK Gallery 2017
Group Show, Mini Show, Abend Gallery 2020
Group Show, Process, Robert Lange Studios 2020
Group Show, Figurative Works, Abend Gallery 2021
Solo Show, Wolves Once Walked Here, Abend Gallery 2023
Museum exhibitions:
Group Show, Springfield Museum, Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Art, 2020
Awards:
Amaranthine, Artist Renewal Center catalog, 2017
Alex, Lydian Heart, Ondine, Artist Renewal Center catalog, 2018
Rise Up, Artist Renewal Center, 2019
Pray For Love, Artist Renewal Center, 2020
Publications:
Issue 31, Join the Tribe, Beautiful Bizarre Magazine 2020
Art Conventions:
Illuxcon, group show 2019
LA Art Show, group show with Abend Gallery, 2020
Museums:
Group Show, Springfield Museums, Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Art 2021
Publications:
Artist Renewal Center, 2017-2020
Beautiful Bizarre 2020
American Art Collector 2023
Upcoming Exhibitions:
Dacia Gallery, New York City, 2024
Galleri Ramfjord, Oslo, Norway 2024
LA Art Show with Abend Gallery 2025
