May Zheng
Currently 23 years old, May creates paintings that explore mythology, metamorphosis, and music as concepts to translate into a visual composition. Her work features powerful yet ethereal figures within arcane, dreamlike worlds.
At age 19, she received her first published book cover, and also was recognized as a Finalist by the 16th Art Renewal Center Salon in the professional tiers of Imaginative Realism and Portraiture. At age 20, May was recognized as one of the winners of the Illustrators of the Future contest, and at age 22, received the 2nd Place Grand Prize in Infected By Art Volume 14. May is honored to be a juror for IBA 15. In December 2024, May opened an art school in Princeton NJ where she teaches oil painting to students of all ages.
In addition to painting, she graduated from Rutgers University in May 2025 with degrees in Cognitive Science, Russian literature, and history.
At age 19, she received her first published book cover, and also was recognized as a Finalist by the 16th Art Renewal Center Salon in the professional tiers of Imaginative Realism and Portraiture. At age 20, May was recognized as one of the winners of the Illustrators of the Future contest, and at age 22, received the 2nd Place Grand Prize in Infected By Art Volume 14. May is honored to be a juror for IBA 15. In December 2024, May opened an art school in Princeton NJ where she teaches oil painting to students of all ages.
In addition to painting, she graduated from Rutgers University in May 2025 with degrees in Cognitive Science, Russian literature, and history.
