Tricia May studied at California State College at Fullerton and at Orange Coast College. She moved to Boise, ID in 1992 with her family and began painting outdoors in oils every chance she had. She was born in New Jersey but was raised in Southern California. Travels throughout the French countryside, Hawaii, and the Northwest have furnished her with endless materials to paint from as well as many studies to refer to for larger paintings. Working on location whenever possible or in her studio, she takes her inspiration from Mother Nature. Tricia would say her oil paintings are contemporary with an impressionistic flare. Her subject matter includes abstracts, florals, and landscapes. Regardless of the subject matter, her focus is on the quality of movement, light, harmony, color and a feeling of joy. Tricia is especially attracted to the principals of Yin and Yang in art.
She loves thin paint next to thick, cool against warm color, opaque next to transparent paint, and peaceful areas next to active ones. She prepares the canvas, and then starts with thin transparent color. She continues to add thicker paint using palette knives and brushes. Tricia plans her paintings ahead using sketches, color choices and a value pattern. She then allows spontaneity and intuition to take over, while she enjoys the process. Tricia has published in several American Art Magazine articles and an art book. She’s the founder of the Plein Air Painters of Idaho and is a member of the Oil Painters of America. Watercolor was her first medium of choice which she used to paint children’s portraits.
