De May Studios
Mixed Media
I’m Robert De May
My dad loved to draw pictures and encouraged me to draw. When I was in high school, I took an art class as an elective, and loved it. I became interested in painting with watercolors. My teacher encouraged me. However, after graduating, my interests in painting were replaced by higher priorities like college, a degree in electronic engineering, a 35-year career in IT, a 15-year entrepreneurship in antique and high-end furniture restoration. As I grew very close to full retirement, in January of 2021, I tried watercolor again. A friend liked my first work so well, she purchased it. I’ve been told I have talent. I enrolled in an on-line watercolor academy and surprised myself by the successes of each of my assignments. My instructor praised my prints and I had become an artist.
My art business has been designated as a “Trusted Art Seller” with The Art Storefronts Organization, which means you can shop with confidence, and know that I stand behind the quality and value of my products.
My Inspiration
I found out that if it’s in a photograph, I can usually paint a picture of it. I am inspired by nature, wild life, pets, horses, and old run down barns. As an artist, I love painting landscapes in the country, old buildings, and farm animals. I grew up in the farm country of western Pennsylvania. I remember trekking through the woods, swimming in the Alleghany river, and, when I was only 10, driving farmer Thomson’s tractor while others loaded up hay bails on the wagon I was towing. I love dogs. I currently have two border collies, I have painted both of their portraits. I just love creating these images and continually surprising (and sometimes disappointing) myself by my creations.
My Medium
I love the challenge of a successful watercolor painting. I have tried pen and ink, charcoal, pastels, acrylic, and have settled on watercolor painting. I use the white of the paper as one of the colors in my color palette. Watercolor does not project perfection nor does it require perfection from the artist, but it does challenge the artist to strategize his work. Watercolor does not allow an artist to over paint, or to change colors.