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Discover the Beauty- Fine Art by Paul Michael Gray
Unique art from the Mountain West
Paul Michael Gray fine art
Artist's Bio
Paul Michael Gray grew up on the Western Slope of Colorado. He has lived, worked,and played in the west since the mid 70’s. After graduating from Mesa State College in 1990 with a BS in Biology and emphasis in Art, he began work as a bird biologist for the state of Colorado studying the breeding population of the Greater Sandhill Crane. During his three years on the crane project, Paul began illustrating for the US Forest Service in Routt county in 1993. He would provide illustrations for trailhead signage and trail brochures depicting the wildlife and habitat that a visitor would encounter in their wanderings. That experience would eventually lead into a statewide parks interpretive kiosk program where he worked with a design team to create outdoor information signs. His art captured glimpses into each park's unique habitats and the critters that live there. As that four year project wrapped up, he moved onto creating illustrations for wildlife viewing books and conservation posters, and the occasional roadside interpretation sign.
In the early 2000’s he began working for a company conducting biological surveys while still working in his downtown Grand Junction, Colorado studio. In 2018 he moved more into the fine art realm. “I really enjoy the illustration aspect of my art where I can depict several different species interacting in their surroundings but I realize that this type of art has its purpose mainly in the education field. I have moved into trying to “loosen up” and let my subject
matter “live in a moment”. I base a lot of my paintings on my interests in life here in the western United States. I have always been intrigued by the indigenous peoples and wildlife and the struggles faced in their ever changing and sometimes ruthless surroundings. I strive to accurately portray these interactions.”
All these years I have preferred using watercolors on 140 lb Arches watercolor paper using just a few different sizes of the round brush variety. I have recently, in the past few years, applied his techniques to Aquabord by Ampersand. The Aquabord provides a cold press like surface for crisp, vibrant color, that still allows for details without having to put the image behind glass. Watercolors have a tendency to move in directions and most times have a very appealing look that works well in my approach.
Paul, his wife Gina, and their daughter Gracie live in Grand Junction and love to roam around and camp with their yellow lab Max.