Today we’d like to introduce you to Mays Mayhew

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

It all began while I was young. I was noticeably different at drawing than my peers. Being different was where I found self-worth and purpose. I’ve always been passionate about art. It was who I was. I was raised by a workaholic-never-there single dad on a beef farm. However, not having much parental oversight gave me a lot of freedom. Growing up on the farm “gave me the opportunity” (i.e., forcibly, no other options) to learn to be resourceful with what I had. I had fire and wood, which meant I could make charcoal to draw stuff like that. I left home at age 17 and never looked back. I went to art school. I earned a BFA in studio arts, studied Renaissance art in Italy, and studied figure drawing at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

After college, I worked in the art materials industry. I created and sold my art during that time as well. At night, I was in the studio. During the day, I worked in several capacities, from art store manager to product developer and product manager.

I always found the time for art. Having two full-time jobs takes time and hard work. I was often frustrated that I didn’t have enough time in the studio to truly innovate the way I wanted too.

For the last five years, I have worked on my art full-time. I have a beautiful art space I call my sanctuary. I work almost every day and do 20 shows a year. I still maintain two full-time jobs, though. The other job is mom/wife/gardener/homeschooler. I am living the (art) dream.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

The biggest struggle I face as a full-time artist nowadays is finding where my art best fits. Every artist struggles with finding their audience, and I am not immune to this struggle either. I feel I am between two worlds where my art would fit best.

One world is art galleries. I do one solo show a year, but work usually doesn’t sell well in the gallery. Collectors who want my art typically want to meet me and hear first hand what the work is about. That leads me to art fairs.

The other art world is art fairs. I’m an extrovert. I love making connections and building relationships with collectors that I meet face to face. I absolutely love hearing how the art has affected them. At the same time, my art is considerably different than the art that’s in your typical art fair. There is not a lot of figurative, representational, contemporary art there. That’s a struggle. Also, only about 5% of fairgoers seem to be interested AND capable of purchasing the work. Art fairs are very very expensive to do.

My style seems to straddle the line between art galleries and art fairs. That’s a struggle I haven’t figured out yet.

Secondly, there’s the added struggle of giving attention to both art and kids. I bring my kids and husband to all 20 shows. I need to consider meeting everyone’s needs at art fairs while I am at the fair all day. My husband helps. Traveling with children is an added challenge. The kids want attention and entertainment alongside the art business. It’s a struggle to parent and make a living as an artist. (I love it. I wouldn’t ever want to do it differently).

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I create contemporary figurative drawings and paintings on paper. I’m known for rendering people realistically while facilitating provocative thought.

For the last five years, I’ve worked on one series. I draw a woman’s story in five images. I read the story, study it, and research the culture and history of the woman’s story. I do a lot of prep work before I can draw the compositions. I use my children as models. I can pose them uniquely to communicate the story I’m telling. I draw them in doubles with big hair. My work is distinctive and ever-changing.

I also do commissioned portraits in my style with crazy hair. It’s so special to have your children on your wall as a modern portrait. I don’t do traditional portraits. The portraits I create are unique. Wouldn’t it be cool to have your own daughter as art on your wall? It would! Kids grow and change, but art won’t. My husband and I have two portraits of us, and whenever I look at those pieces, a smile crosses my lips.

I’m most proud of making a living as an artist while homeschooling my children and being a mom. What sets me apart from others (although this is not unique) is that I am extremely focused on my art goals while giving my kids my best.

How do you think about luck?

I don’t believe in luck, however; I do believe in God’s providence. If we’re talking about God’s grace (not luck), I would say He has everything to do with the success of my business. Every day, He has played a role in my success—every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maysmayhew.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maysmayhewartist/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaysMayhewContemporaryFigureDrawings
• Youtube: @maysmayhewart202

Image Credits

Mays Mayhew