Description:

Original Oil on Canvas by Kentucky's Russell May
This original oil on canvas painting by Russell May, a Kentucky artist known for his rural landscapes, depicts a serene forest scene with a winding dirt path and a gently flowing stream running through it, framed by tall trees adorned with vibrant orange, red, and yellow foliage. The composition, rendered in rich, earthy tones with soft lighting suggesting a peaceful afternoon, captures the natural beauty of Kentucky's woodlands, characteristic of May's focus on Southern Appalachian scenery. This piece is in good condition with no signs of repairs, though the ornate gold frame shows some flaking. The frame measures 37" x 23" and the canvas measures about 31.5" x 17.5". Signed in lower left corner "R. May 1972".

Russell May (1921–1990) was a Kentucky artist renowned for his oil paintings of rural landscapes, particularly those capturing the natural beauty and vanishing rural architecture of Southern Appalachia, especially in Floyd County, Kentucky, where he was born and raised. Growing up in the Kentucky hills, May developed a deep connection to the region's creeks, trees, old houses, and barns, which became central themes in his work, reflecting his childhood memories and the fading folk culture of the area. As a teenager, May worked as a sign painter, and during World War II, he served as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division, also doing design work for the army. After the war, he briefly attended the Chicago Art Institute for a short course but returned to Kentucky, settling in Floyd County after marrying in Maysville, Kentucky. In the late 1960s, he transitioned from his sign-painting business to focus on landscape painting in oils, opening the May Art Gallery in Prestonsburg by 1973. May became a founding member of the Kentucky Heritage Artists, and his works, often depicting familiar scenes from Floyd County, were exhibited widely, including in museums and galleries, and are cherished for their vivid portrayal of Kentucky's natural environment. He continued painting and teaching until his death in 1990, leaving a legacy as one of Eastern Kentucky's most important artists, with his family continuing to promote his art posthumously.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Pickup of items won will be the week of March 17th. We will be open Monday - Thursday from 10am-4pm and Saturday from 10am-noon that week. If these times are not convenient, please call Bruce Wise at 859-321-1230 to schedule.
If you have not paid online, then payment can be made at pickup. Please bring your own packaging and additional help if needed for loading items. All removals must be completed in a professional and tidy manner. Not responsible for accidents.

For those buyers who wish to have their merchandise sent or who are out of the area and will not pick the items up, shipping arrangements can be made through the buyer's own shipper as Caswell Prewitt Realty does not provide in-house packing or shipping. All packing and shipping of merchandise will be at the risk and expense of the buyer. A list of shippers that have been used by past customers is below: It is the buyer's responsibility to contact the shipper and then contact Bruce Wise at 859-321-1230 to communicate which shipper you are using so we can coordinate getting it into their hands.


The Mailroom, Lexington, Ky - 859 268 0206, [email protected]
UPS - Winchester - 859-745-4422, [email protected]

Shippers are independent of Caswell Prewitt Realty and are not endorsed by it; therefore, we are not responsible for problems associated with shipping. Merchandise is stored at the risk of the purchaser.

March 16, 2025 6:00 PM EDT
Mt. Sterling, KY, US

Caswell Prewitt Realty, INC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $5
$100 $249 $10
$250 $999 $25
$1,000 $4,999 $50
$5,000 + $100