“My work has evolved through the years and I have never come to grips with one single idea or method in painting. My paintings are really done in tone- in black and white adding both impressionist and classical colors placing one color note next to another. I consider painting limitless, therefore I will always be a student. My passion has always been the portrait. I will continue my passion and pursuit of creating and painting a masterpiece……”
~Andrew August Vernon Mays
Andrew August Vernon Mays grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he found a passion for art early in his childhood, influenced by his artistic family, specifically his grandfather Arthur Vernon Henry and uncles Robert and Don Henry. August began his formal training at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh in the late 80’s and launched his career in 1990. In his early years, August lived and created art in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Palm Beach, Miami, and Key West. Fascinated by the scale and beauty of murals that he had seen, Vernon set out to create larger scale artworks of color and vibrancy.
Throughout his career he was mentored by some talented artists including Cheryl Combs, learning complex structural themes and textural medium application, and the great colorist painter Hilda Neily. Hilda was mentored by the iconic painter Henry Hensche, who was mentored by Charles Webster Hawthorne, mentored by William Merritt Chase.
As his career progressed, August was able to paint many murals that have been widely recognized, August combined his mural and portrait ability with live performance painting, known as speed painting for many notable figures at charity events. He also created original works of art specializing in portraiture and ultimately his signature piece, the wallflower. Recently, most notably August has been working on bringing Pittsburgh skylines into homes across America.
His third gallery, The August Vernon Gallery opened in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, a quaint and charming village, in 2021. August now spends his time creating works of art throughout the United States and lives part time in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Gulfport, Florida. Vernon’s paintings can be found in many private, public, and corporate collections throughout the United States as well as museums such as the Smithsonian Institute Family at the Heinz History Center.
Corporate Client List
International Paper
Heathrow Airport Holdings
Marriot Hotels
McDonalds Corporation
Windsor Aughtry Company
Erwin Penland
Fluor Daniel
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Brewing Company
Adams Capital Management
Hughes Investments
Allegro Foundation
City of McKeesport, PA
City of Ambridge, PA
Heinz History Center
UPMC Hospital Systems
Hilton
New York Mets
Patricia Jean Foundation
Jasmine Nyree Campus
Sunpubs, Inc
Embassy Suites Riverplace
Big Y Group
Manchester Joe International
Felix Sebates
Jimmy Buffet CSX Railroad Transportation Shieldtech Roofing Solutions