Gentle Creature Studio is the home of artist Dan May, a place where creativity and imagination come to life. Dan's art invites you into a world inhabited by Gentle Creatures, creatures that live in harmony with nature, contemplating their place in the world. Explore original paintings, prints, and other works of art that capture their essence. Whether you’re an art collector or just curious about this unique world, Gentle Creature Studio has something for everyone.









 

Dan May is a modern narrative painter whose work invites viewers into a surreal and deeply emotional world.

His artistic journey began at the early age of four, spending countless hours filling reams of copier paper—generously supplied by his father, who worked at Eastman Kodak—with imaginative characters and imagery. Encouraged by his parents, this early passion only grew stronger through the years.
 

A native of Rochester, NY, Dan went on to earn a BFA from Syracuse University, where he studied under renowned illustrators and artists, further honing his unique style and technique.
 

Over time, his work has evolved into a visual language of its own—most notably through the creation of his world of Gentle Creatures. These soulful beings inhabit dreamlike landscapes, reflecting themes of comfort, reflection, peace, and hope. While their forms may be large or otherworldly, they are far from monstrous. They are kind, wise, and present—quiet observers of the world, shaped by their own experiences.

Dan’s paintings are richly textured and intricately detailed, known for their ability to transcend space and time, blurring the line between reality and imagination. His Gentle Creatures have taken on lives of their own—unfolding in real time, with many stories yet to be discovered.
 

Among Dan’s many influences, a formative one was his first movie theater experience: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. A particular scene—where E.T. gently revives a dying flower before saying goodbye—left a lasting impression that continues to echo in his work.
 

Dan’s paintings have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, including the 2013 Suggestivism show at the Acquario Romano in Rome. He currently lives and works in the Raleigh, NC area with his wife Kendal and their three young children—their very own little Gentle Creatures.