Dan May is a modern narrative painter and illustrator whose work invites viewers into a surreal, emotionally rich world of imagination and quiet wonder.
His artistic journey began at the age of four, when he spent hours filling reams of copier paper—generously supplied by his father, who worked at Eastman Kodak—with characters and scenes from his vivid imagination. Encouraged by his parents, this early love for drawing and storytelling only grew stronger with time.
Originally from Rochester, NY, Dan earned his BFA from Syracuse University, where he studied under renowned artists and illustrators, further refining his unique style and technique.
Over the years, Dan has developed a visual language all his own, most notably through the creation of his world of Gentle Creatures—soulful beings who inhabit dreamlike landscapes and evoke themes of comfort, reflection, peace, and hope. While they may appear large or otherworldly, these creatures are far from monstrous. They are kind, wise, and present—quiet observers shaped by life’s complexities.
Dan’s work is known for its flowing, detail-rich textures and its ability to blur the lines between the real and the imagined. His Gentle Creatures have taken on lives of their own, unfolding stories across paintings and projects still to come.
In addition to his personal work, Dan has collaborated with clients across publishing, advertising, fashion, and animation. His illustrations and paintings have been featured in publications such as Hi-Fructose, Juxtapoz, Communication Arts, American Illustration, DPI Magazine, and Society of Illustrators LA. His artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, including the 2013 Suggestivism show at the Acquario Romano in Rome.
Dan is currently working on several children’s books and looks forward to continuing to bring his artistic vision to life through a variety of meaningful and creative ventures.
He lives and works in the Raleigh, NC area with his wife, Kendal, and their three young children—their very own little Gentle Creatures.
EDUCATION
2001 - BFA Illustration, Syracuse University (NY)
MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS
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2013
Acquario Romano – Suggestivism (Italy)
2012
Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art – I Like Soup (VA)
2011
Grand Central Art Center – Suggestivism (CA)
2009
Japanese American National Museum – The Kokeshi Show (CA)
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
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2010
Gallery 1988 – Into the Wild (CA)
Rotofugi Gallery – Beneath the Noise (IL)
2009
Copro Gallery – The Nature of Things to Come (CA)
Copro Gallery – Slow Collision (CA)
2008
Bluebottle Gallery – Odd-yssey (WA)
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
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2013
beinArt Collective - Copro Gallery (CA)
Mad Hatters! – Flower Pepper Gallery (CA)
Art Dorks Rise – Space:Eight Gallery (FL)
The Gonzo Collection – Woods Contemporary (MD)
Suggestivism Rome – MondoPOP Gallery (Italy)
2012
The Blab! Show – Copro Gallery (CA)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me - Copro Gallery (CA)
Obey Your Master: Metallica Tribute - Exhibit A Gallery (CA)
Botanica – Genome Gallery (NC)
Kingdom Animalia - Roq La Rue (CA)
Suggestivism NYC - Bold Hype Gallery (NY)
Tiny Trifecta II – Cotton Candy Machine (NY)
2011
The Blab! Krampus Show – Roq La Rue Gallery (WA)
Sink or Swim – PangeaSeed (Tokyo)
Post-It – Atticus Gallery (Barcelona)
Tiny Trifecta – Cotton Candy Machine (NY)
2010
Rivet Gallery/Art Basel – Grey Area (FL)
Rivet Gallery – Remedy (OH)
Bold Hype Gallery – The Nature of Things to Come (NY)
My Plastic Heart – New Moon (NY)
Gallery 1988 – Under the Influence: He-Man (CA)
Munky King Gallery – We Heart Wood (CA)
Gallery 1988 – LOST Underground Art Project (CA)
Thinkspace Gallery – A Cry For Help (CA)
2009
Corey Helford Gallery – The Multi-Plane Show (CA)
Aqua Wynwood Art Fair/Mark Murphy/Art Basel - (FL)
Copro Gallery/Hi Fructose – Overdose (CA)
Copro Gallery – Superschool (CA)
Bold Hype Gallery – Say When (FL)
Pulse Art Fair/Copro Gallery – Old Skool Vs New Skool (NY)
Copro Gallery – The Monster Show (CA)
Feinkunst Kruger Gallery – Don’t Wake Daddy IV (Germany)
Gallery Meltdown – A Murder of Crows (CA)
Gallery 1988 – Crazy 4 Cult 3D (CA)
Alcove Gallery – David Lynch Tribute Show (GA)
2008
Copro Nason Gallery – The Good Samartan (CA)
GenArt Vanguard/Mark Murphy/Art Basel – Know (FL)
Corey Helford Gallery – Clowns (CA)
La Luz de Jesus Gallery/Acme Archives – Family Guy (CA)
Copro Nason Gallery – Hi Fructose Group Show (CA)
Dorothy Circus Gallery – New Mythology (Italy)
Copro Nason Gallery – Kiss of Life (CA)
Alcove Gallery – Wizard of Oz (GA)
Rabbit Hole Gallery – The Grind 2.0 (GA)
Definition Gallery – Dreamscapes (GA)
Foundation One Gallery – Groundwork II (GA)
Alcove Gallery – Hairball (GA)
2007
Foundation One Gallery – Midnight Garden (GA)
Copro Nason Gallery – Next Gen (CA)
Goodform Salon – Valley of the Hairdos (CA)
The Venice Contemporary – Fresh Faces (CA)
Subtext Gallery – The Kokeshi Show (CA)
Thinkspace Gallery – Artdorks Group Show (CA)
WindUp Gallery – The Rising (AZ)
Gallery 1988 – The Onset (CA)
Foundation One Gallery – Groundwork (GA)
Alcove Gallery – Cartoon Madness 2 (GA)
Alpha Cult Gallery – External Combustion II (CA)
The Venice Contemporary – Spring Invitational (CA)
Limited Addiction Gallery – Elevation (CO)
2006
Feinkunst Kruger Gallery – Don’t Wake Daddy (Germany)
M Modern Gallery – Dr. Seuss Tribute (CA)
Mercado – Duck Fever Show – (Spain)
DvA Gallery – Evolutions & Explosions (IL)
M Modern Gallery – Gotham: Batman Tribute (CA)
M Modern Gallery – 007: James Bond Tribute (CA)
Alpha Cult Gallery – A Matter of Life and Death (CA)
PUBLICATIONS/FEATURES
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2013
Meat For Tea (cover) - December (USA)
2012
Hi-Fructose Collected 3 Box Set (USA)
2011
Suggestivism: A Comprehensive Survey of Contemporary Artists (USA)
2010
Dangerous Ink – Issue #4 (UK)
DODOS – Vol. 2 (South Korea)
Sasquatch Magazine – Vol. 1 (Australia)
Dark Inspiration – Victionary (Hong Kong)
DPI Magazine – January (Taiwan)
2009
DPI Magazine – Special Edition #2 (Taiwan)
Lamono Magazine – #57 (Spain)
Day Dreaming Magazine – November (Italy)
Say When – Bold Hype (USA)
2008
Hi Fructose Magazine – Vol. 9 (USA)
DPI Magazine – (Taiwan)
Beasts! Two – Fantagraphics (USA)
The New Mythology – New Myth Press (USA)
2007
DPI Magazine – November Vol #103 (Taiwan)
De Fish Magazine – Vol. 7 (Belgium)
Said & Done Magazine – (Canada)
AWARDS
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Comunication Arts – Illustration Annual – #48
Society of Illustrators Los Angeles – #47
American Illustration – #26