"Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own
and makes it so much the larger and better in every way..."
• John Muir
Mei Kei ("May Kay") is an artist currently based in North Carolina, United States -- where she began her lifelong dream of art-making in 2021.
When Mei Kei is starting each new project, you will first find her picking up her camera and going on adventures to capture inspiration or collecting just the right beautiful photos for portrait reference. Then, you will find her thoughtfully planning and composing her image ideas and concepts. Finally, you will find her carefully creating her work in a variety of media -- primarily painting and drawing but also sculpting and bending jewelry works.
In her 2021-2022 artworks, Mei Kei began her journey working out different art-making materials and techniques -- sometimes even utilizing non-traditional materials and techniques to explore different ways to create texture effects. Just look closely for the "fur texture" she sculpts onto her painting and drawing surfaces when rendering pet and wildlife portraits.
This year, in 2023, she has refined her painting and drawing skills to lean into realistic renderings of animals and people too.
Owyhee Mountain Earrings and Silver Wire by Miss Mei Kei
Perhaps a sculptor as much as a painter, Mei Kei will escape from public painting sessions at Design Market to work with clay, stones, and wires at home to make wearable artwork in the form of jewelry.
Mei Kei with her "American Alligator" painting during her first art installation and Meet the Artist Event at Design Market of the Pines in 2022.
Mei Kei's paintings and drawings of wildlife and pet portraits can now be found in private collections in Maine, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Missouri, and Florida as well as in two art galleries of North Carolina.
Mei Kei's current jewelry collections are found in-store at Design Market of the Pines (Aberdeen, NC) and The ArtWorks (Wilmington, NC).
You may find select handmade jewelry pieces and fine art prints of her artwork on Etsy (MissMeiKeiDesigns).
Mei Kei is all smiles delivering her "Perspective" painting to The ArtWorks in Wilmington, North Carolina to participate in first art show: North Carolina Wildlife Artists Society's (NCWAS) Nature's Palette Fall Exhibit in 2022. Photographed by her husband, Byron.
Mei Kei enjoys getting involved with community events and art experiences with her creative endeavors. Attend one of many festive and fun events at Design Market of the Pines in Aberdeen and The ArtWorks in Wilmington throughout the year! She will be happy to meet you and answer questions as she goes about creating her current commissions and projects live.
Mei Kei on one of many visits to North Carolina's very own animal sanctuary:
Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro in 2022.
While painting and drawing animals, Mei Kei follows news of conservation efforts locally and globally. With sales of her artwork, she pledges to assist in the rescue, restoration, protection, and preservation of our endangered wildlife and natural environments around the world.
10% of proceeds from every piece of Mei Kei's artwork purchased will go to organizations currently and proactively sharing this vision and pledge.