Merel MAY
Fine Artist
My paintings are inspired by glimmers. Glimmers are the opposite of triggers. These are fleeting moments of profound beauty, sparks of oy and peace. Everyday moments that elicit a rush of happiness, calmness and gratitude. I try to capture those moments in my paintings.
Preferably I paint with a loose touch, although some paintings require more patience and more details. Somehow I navigate between impressionism and realism. I begin with a raw emotion, an observation, a movement or scene, creating a painting that often surprises even me. It is the ultimate collaboration of heart, head, hands and paint, requiring dedicated time and full attention.
About
I’m a Dutch fine artist who live on the Mornington Peninsula, Australia. My work is exhibit internationally and some of my artworks are shortlisted or finalists in artprizes.
Creativity and curiosity flows through my veins, combined with a deep rooted affinity for nature and outdoors. This mix creates an abundance in my life, driving me to discover uncharted territories. (e.g. new styles/techniques) and embrace the unknown by e.g. moving to the stunning Bunurong Land*/ Mornington Peninsula, southeast of Melbourne, Australia.
My paintings are inspired by glimmers and hopefully contribute as a glimmer to your day. Glimmers are fleeting moments of profound beauty, sparks of joy and peace that gift your soul. Like the sun shining through tree branches, misty mornings, a reflection in a water pond or a wave that breaks on the beach.
I am well aware that it is a privilege to focus my mind on glimmers, while others are surrounded by triggers and living in places of suffering. I have a deeply rooted belief that we must expose the beauty of nature as an everlasting reminder of how beautiful the world could be.
New Artworks
Rhythm of the Ocean
43×59, oil on canvas
This painting symbolizes the ebb and flow of emotions, mirroring the rhythm of the ocean. As the waves are coming and going, emotions do as well. I’m excited and fulfilled with gratefulness that I may live on the stunning Bunurong land/ Mornington Peninsula* for a while. Simultaneously, I experience homesickness for the first time. Emotions can be overwhelming and come in waves. Overall, the painting resonates with a deep appreciation for the journey of feeling, reflecting the wisdom found in nature’s cycles.
E-Reader (Everywhere Reader)
60×30 Oil on panel
This painting is a heartfelt tribute to the transformative power of reading. It captures the essence of pausing in busy lives to embark journeys of the mind, where stories take shape and imagination flourishes. While the convenience of e-readers is undeniable, nothing compares to the profound magic of a physical book. Luckily the ease of an e-reader attracts also the younger generation with endless books waiting as an invitation to explore boundless worlds.
Books empower us, opening doors to new insights and fostering empathy in a way that other media often cannot. Books breathe life into our dreams and ignite our imaginations. In a time where digital distractions dominate our attention, this work embrace the joy and depth that only a book can provide. Everywhere Reader.
Timeless Echoes
41×58 Oil on canvas
This painting aims to capture the enchanting experience of time travel found in the quiet moments of parenthood. When I observe my child sleeping, time feels suspended; the present blends seamlessly with the past. During the day, I am in awe of the remarkable growth and the new discoveries my child makes. Yet, in their peaceful slumber, I’m transported back to the tender memories of new born life. This interplay between vibrant progression of their development alongside with the echoes of early childhood, invites viewers to reflect on the fleeting yet timeless nature of these precious moments.
Find your light
64×80 Oil on canvas
I wanted to capture the interplay between darkness and light, both external and internal. The work emerged from a profound personal experience—a serious bicycle accident that left me with two broken elbows.
I confronted the darkness within my mind during my recovery. This time demanded complete surrender, as I became entirely dependent on the care of others. This vulnerability revealed a deeper truth: while darkness can feel overwhelming, it also provides a backdrop for the light we can cultivate from within.
The physical challenge of opening a bottle of wine in the middle of the night, with both arms in plaster and a straw that was too short, became a poignant metaphor for my search for solace in temporary escapes. It illustrated how fleeting comforts are not true solutions. Instead, I discovered that hope can flourish in the light of self-discovery and acceptance. Time-traveling in my mind to extraordinary memories from my journeys around the world became my light, transforming me into a wanderer in my own head.
This is a reminder that we have the power to be our own light, even in the darkest times. What would be your light if you sat in that chair?
Senses
40×60 Oil on wooden panel
Since migrating to Australia from The Netherlands, I have undergone a profound transformation in how I connect with the world and engage with nature on a deeper level. The breathtaking landscapes of Bunurong Land have changed my perceptions and enriched my understanding of sensory experiences. This painting is my first attempt to evoke more than just the viewer’s eye; it is an immersive exploration of how my migration has expanded my world, both literally and metaphorically. The aroma of eucalyptus, the fresh taste of limoncello (my personal favourite), the vibrant colours of native plants, and the simple joy of blowing a dandelion all contribute to a multi-sensory experience of this still life.
More
At times I feel like a little alchemist. I create something new. I use creativity and immersion as a mean to turn raw emotions, experiences and inner landscapes into a something relatable. Into a glimpse of a glimmer to experience the raw emotion yourself.
Materials
Although the oil painting techniques I’m using can be classified as classic or traditional, I combine these with modern ease and with a notion of the negative environmental impact of oil paint by using more natural products.
I use several strategies to reduce the environmental impact by:
- Using all oil paint and never throwing away leftovers
- I prefer to use natural products based on lavender oil instead of turpentine
- I take care of my brushes without cleaning them, thus saving water
- I use high quality oil paint based on cold pressed linseed oil
I prefer working with local products.
Buying an Artwork
Prices of Merel MAY’s artwork are based on equality. What really counts in life is time. Not just time, but time with full attention. Your time is as valuable as mine. The price of an artwork depends on your wadge per hour. I hold a timesheet of hours spent on the artwork and materials used. If you are interested in buying an artwork you’ll get an inside into the hours I worked. Hopefully by having an in-depth discussion with your family and friends, you can decide the actual price that you would like to offer. I would like to ask you to describe this decision making process how you came to this pricing. By doing so, your writings will anomalously contribute to a future artwork, together with the input of other buyers. Therefore there are no prices shown on this website.
Prices shown in galleries are fix prices.
Price depending, between 5- 25% will be transferred to charity dedicated to nature conservation and/or helping people in harmful situations, to become an actual Peace of Art. If you have a preference for a particular charity, I would love to hear that.
Merel MAY is available for working on commissions (worldwide). If you have an idea about a certain artwork that you envision, please fill in the contact form.
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I’m ambitious in life.
Doing what I love most:
Exploring, creating and painting!
