Ariyah Mays

I create art to turn darkness, fantasy, and emotion into something beautiful, a dream that lingers between shadows, light, and mystery.

Currently 26th

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You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!

Voting for the Top 20 ends Thursday the 14th of May at 7PM PDT

What is The People's Artist?

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What is your favorite type of art to create?

My favorite type of art to create is dark fantasy that blends surrealism, real-life inspiration, and imagination. I’m especially drawn to mysterious, otherworldly creatures and visuals that feel both haunting and beautiful. My goal is to create art that pulls people into a different reality and makes them feel something deeper than what they see.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in a mix of real life and imagination. I’m drawn to emotions, people, and moments that feel intense or unspoken, and I like turning those into something visual. I’m especially inspired by darker themes, futuristic and otherworldly aesthetics, and surreal ideas that feel a little unsettling but still beautiful. Music, dreams, and passing thoughts often turn into concepts for my work, especially when I’m imagining unfamiliar, almost alien-like beings and vampire-inspired figures

What would you do with $25,000?

With $25,000, I would invest in my growth as an artist by upgrading my materials and tools and creating a space where I can fully focus on my work. I would also use it to build my presence by sharing my art more consistently and reaching a wider audience. Most importantly, it would give me the freedom to experiment and push my ideas further, especially within dark fantasy and surreal art, including combining traditional work with 2D animation to create more meaningful, story-driven pieces.

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