Jinnie May | Abstract Watercolour painter | Tutt'Art@ | Pittura * Scultura * Poesia * Musica

Jinnie May has always had an appreciation for art, but it wasn’t until she retired in 2000 that she began to seriously pursue art. Currently Jinnie is interested in the use of watercolor for its spontaneity, portability and indecisiveness. Her initial inspiration comes from studying California Watercolor artists from the 1940’s and 50’s, who painted genre paintings on large paper using big brushes and bold colors.

From her holidays spent traveling around the United States and Europe, she has acquired a taste for a wide range of subject matter from city and seascapes, to architecture. In her paintings, she tries to give life to old buildings in a city and urban scene. Jinnie attributes her distinct style to being slightly askew, both in sight and insight.

Her deliberate disregard of perspective in her buildings adds a touch of her personality and gives the buildings a whimsical feel.

"Art has been in my life since childhood however it got pushed to the side while I began a career in a non-art related position in the pharmaceutical industry. After retirement in 2000 I took a watercolor class in Bermuda with Bryan Atyeo, a wonderful Canadian artist and teacher. That was enough to spur my interest and suddenly I was hooked.

Since then I have taken many classes with well known instructors including, but not limited to; Toni Chaplin, Frank Webb, Serge Hollerbach, Skip Lawrence, Don Andrews, Judi Betts, Alvaro Castagnet, John Salminen and Pat Dews. I truly admire the California watercolor artists of the past; Rex Brandt, George Post and Barse Miller and many others. I have many of their books and their paintings enhance my enthusiasm and inspiration.

I've been experimenting with different mediums and surfaces and I guess you could say subject matter as well. In the past two years I've added quite a few new paintings to my abstract collection.

Since 2004 I have exhibited in many local and statewide shows, winning numerous awards and many of my original paintings are in private collections.

I belong to several Art Associations (see Associations and Awards page) and am currently the President of The New Jersey Water Color Society.

Studio paintings are created in the ASKEW-IS-ME Studio in Randolph, NJ".