Talula Merriwether Mays

feint / dissimulation / visage

air dry clay, wire, vellum, acrylic, chalk pastel

Do you like these? I will make you one of your very own, however you like. My commissions are open for a short time.

I’m about to start school in the fall to work towards my MFA, and I need to get my supplies out of storage in another state, for which I have to save up $1200. I won’t be have the time to take commissions once the semester begins, and I’m not sure when I will again. So, if you’d like some of my work, this is the last chance for a while and will help me out tremendously as I prepare for what’s to come.

The story behind this predicament is that we’d hit hard times and were at a dead end, so we put everything we owned into a storage unit and moved away to be with Peter’s family for a year, which unfortunately did not go as we had hoped. We’d had the storage unit shipped there, but all we had access to was our suitcases because we didn’t have a place of our own yet. It was difficult to get stable footing out there, and in the end we just wanted to be back in Staunton. With no savings left and a lot of blessings to get us here, we found an apartment and returned home, but we couldn’t afford to ship the storage unit back. Now that we’re here, it’s taken another year to get back on our feet.

I am trying very hard to raise the money to get our things back in the next two months, because nearly all of the art supplies and tools I’ve collected over the years are still hundreds of miles away (as well as all of our cookware, furniture, and most of our clothes). We have been able to make do without most of it, but I will need to get all my art-making equipment back for the projects I’m planning, and the sooner I can sort it out, the easier the transition will be as the semester begins. Any amount of support goes so far in being able to be prepared in time for grad school.

Yesterday was my birthday 🖤

Here are some photos that capture my essence: photographing an alleyway, smiling and feeling adventurous, getting ready with a fresh pair of homemade leg warmers, and holding a questionably haunted little doll from the thrift store

I took this with a soda can, during a pinhole photograph exercise at my local art center's photography club. This was a six minute exposure, on a day with very little wind. I love how many details were captured (uncropped version below)

what I searched for all along

This weekend is the last chance to purchase these sculptures in my shop at half price.

Thank you to everyone who has placed an order! We've had the first vet visit and little Mobin is on his way to being worm-free. We just need to get him neutered and a few other vaccines. Thank you for the support!

In case you missed it, I'm having a sale to raise vet funds! These house sculptures, as well as postcards, are available at a discount right now.

see the sale here →

to elaborate on the situation at hand a bit:

Help me raise vet funds for this little stray cat we found!

I found this beautiful boy in the cold just before the snow storm, and I am trying to raise money for his vet bills. His name is Mobin.

He's had his preliminary checkup to get a rabies shot and make sure he wasn't microchipped, but unfortunately he has worms, and he needs a full vet exam, worm treatment, other vaccinations, and neutering.

To raise money to get this precious baby in good health, I've re-listed some artwork on my website at a heavy discount. Most of the work in my shop is half the price it was previously, including the sanctuaries, small masks, and other little houses. If you think it's worth more, feel free to leave a tip at checkout, but I just want to get him healthy. Shipping within the U.S. is free on orders over $40

Thank you for supporting the cause. Mobin thanks you as well :)

view the sale →

all twelve postcards from 2025