May Zheng is a science fiction-fantasy illustrator and portrait artist in Central New Jersey.

Painting both in oil and digital software, May creates illustrations which reimagine mythology and narrative in a highly realistic and dynamic style. May also creates realistic portraits that depict modern figures in classical lighting and compositions.

May received her first book cover commission when she was 18. At age 19, she was recognized as a Finalist by the 16th Art Renewal Center Salon in the professional tiers of Imaginative Realism and Portraiture. At age 20, May has been recognized and published as a winner of the international Illustrators of the Future contest. May has also worked with Evolve Artist Training to provide painting livestreams to an international audience. Selections of her work are in Highlands Art Gallery as well as the IX Gallery. She was also accepted into the IX Main Show 2025 at 21 years old .

May is the head instructor at the Art Academy of Plainsboro, NJ, which she opened in December 2024.

In addition to painting, she is currently a full time student at Rutgers University, pursuing a major in cognitive science, as well as minors in Russian literature and history.

Clients

  • The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York (portraiture, 2024)

  • Rutgers Russian and Eastern Europe Languages and Literatures Department (illustration, 2024)

  • Galaxy Press (illustration, 2023)

  • Mr Gary Anzalone, CEO of Razor Consulting (portraiture, 2022)

  • Ridgewood Karate Academy (illustration, 2021, 2023)

  • kOZMIC Press (cover illustration, 2021)

Awards

  • 17th Art Renewal Center Salon Finalist in Imaginative Realism (2024)

  • Illustrators of the Future (2023)

  • 16th Art Renewal Center Salon Finalist in Imaginative Realism and Portraiture (2022)

  • Oil Painters of America 4th place Student Competition (2022)

  • 15th Art Renewal Center Salon Teen Finalist (2020)