# Simply Painted Photographs Strokes by May Xiong Features Quirky Mixed Media Portraits By Meghan Young | Published 2014-07-07 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/strokes-by-may-xiong References: [fubiz.net](http://www.fubiz.net/en/2014/07/03/strokes-portraits-by-may-xiong/) & [mxphotography.4ormat](http://mxphotography.4ormat.com/) There is a level of anonymity to the portrait series titled Strokes by May Xiong, a photographer based in Seattle, Washington, that is due in large part to the single paint brush stroke subtly obscuring the subjects' faces. Yet that does not take away from the quirkiness of the rest of the images. Whether covered in fishes, orange peels or powder, there is something strange going on in each still that will have people raising their eyebrows. Audiences may compare the props found in Strokes by May Xiong as references to the subjects' personalities or perhaps a clue into the narrative behind the images, yet the series can easily be enjoyed as art alone. Whatever the case, it is arresting. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.4/10 - Popularity: 69% | Activity: 56% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/stylephotography) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Mixed Media Portraits:** Exploring the combination of photography and painting to create unique and intriguing portraits. - **Anonymity in Art:** Using subtle techniques like obscuring subjects' faces to add an element of mystery and intrigue to art. - **Quirky Visual Narratives:** Creating images that tell unusual stories or provoke curiosity through the use of props and unconventional elements. ### Who This Affects Most - **Photography:** Exploring new ways to merge photography and other art forms to push the boundaries of traditional portraiture. - **Fine Arts:** Embracing unconventional techniques and storytelling elements to create captivating and thought-provoking art pieces. - **Creative Advertising:** Leveraging quirky and unconventional visual narratives to capture audience attention and create memorable advertising campaigns. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Vibrantly Colorful Dynamic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kayla-rumpp.md) - [Stylized Portrait Generators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/face-to-all.md) - [AI-Generated Poetic Photo Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emilio-alarcn.md) - [Boundary-Pushing Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/briony-douglas-1.md) - [Suburban-Inspired Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/suburbaninspired-art-exhibition.md) - [Public Art Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paul-anthony-smith.md) - [Biology-Inspired Porcelain Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shiyuan-xu.md) - [Stunning Origami Portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/origami-portaits.md) - [Travel-Inspired Canvas Paintings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-passport-series.md)