Don Gray poses in front of one of his larger paintings.
First in a series of mural artist updates for 2010…
Artist Don Gray made his mark on Cuba, MO. After months of research, designs, and communication with the Viva Cuba Mural Committee, California artist Don Gray arrived in Cuba in July 2005. He began the Civil War mural project that would take a month of work.
While in Cuba, he stayed at Bill and Catherine Lange’s country home. Their son Chip, a high school student at the time, was involved in the Viva Cuba mural work as part of his Eagle Scout project. While Gray was in Cuba, Jim Viehman of Channel 5′s Show-Me St. Louis interviewed him.
Channel 5's Jim Viehman interviewed Don Gray.
Gray’s masterful execution of the Civil War murals that depict the Battle of Pilot Knob are a highlight of any mural tour. Each of the panels tells the story of the battle that led troops to Crawford County.
Gray's mural shows a commitment to historical detail.
Gray was an artist of national reputation who had spent many years in the art field when he came to Cuba.
After graduating from Eastern Oregon University with a degree in secondary art education, Gray taught high school for one year. Deciding teaching was not for him, he moved back to eastern Oregon and began painting full-time. Even at the young age of 22 he was able to break in to the professional gallery world and show and sell his landscape watercolors.
Gray has used many media, especially oil and acrylic. His first outdoor mural project began in 1993 in Vale, Oregon. It was an Oregon Trail scene. “One thing led to another—other projects were offered me through word-of-mouth,” said Gray
Gray has completed over 50 public projects and murals all over the United States. The rest of the time he does his “own thing” in his studio. Gray has illustrated over 20 books, exhibits in galleries and museums, and has been the subject of books and magazine articles. From time to time, he teaches workshops and college-level courses.
Since his trip to Cuba, Gray has made a few changes. He and his wife moved back to Oregon after a time spent in California. He continues his murals and studio work, which include realistic and contemporary paintings that can be seen at dongraystudio.com.
A relatively new project is a series of small daily paintings. After years of painting large murals, these are paintings that the artist can hold in one hand. He paints still life, landscapes, people, animals, or whatever strikes his imagination. His small paintings can be found at his site Daily Art West. Each day an email goes out with the painting of the day.
Only 6" by 6", this small watercolor is one of his daily paintings available for purchase.
Recently his “Nine Stones” series of small daily paintings was nominated for Best Picture (Still Life) on an Art Blog. It seems when Gray downsizes his art work that he is still a winner.
The series "Nine Stones" won a nomination as best still life on an art blog.
Viva Cuba is glad that Cuba, MO has been part of his winning streak.
View the Channel 5 KSDK video that includes Don Gray here.
All art work reproduced with permission of Don Gray.
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