Local art pioneer, Jerry Wray, started painting watercolors in 1943 as a student, and since then, her talent, inspiration and lasting legacy have grown. From her unusual poured painting to her beautiful landscape paintings, Wray seems to have a painting for any contemporary abstract art enthusiast.

Q: How did you get your start as an artist? Wray: As a child, I always was interested in the crafts that were offered at the summer camps I went to, but there was never painting and drawing there or in the public schools. When I went to college at Randolph Macon in Virginia, there was an art class for freshmen. I decided I wanted to be an artist full-time. Newcomb College in Tulane University New Orleans had art school that offered an art degree, and I asked my parents if I could go there. They were happy for me to change. This was during World War II, and New Orleans was easier to get to than Lynchburg, Va. I loved every minute of being in the art school, painting all day and getting credit for doing something I loved! Mr. Fields, the head of the art school, asked me to do my senior project under him. He said I had the talent and passion to be an artist. We would work on the skills I did not naturally possess – the gift of drawing what I saw – but that could be learned with practice. Color, design and inspiration I was good at, but drawing I had never done. I drew one pine tree for a year and leaned how to draw in the process. I won the award for the best senior project and Newcomb sent it to the Museum Of Modern Art for an exhibit.

Q: How were you able to keep your passion for painting alive while having a family? Wray: I was able to keep my passion for painting while having a family of four children by setting aside one day a week to paint – sometimes with the children, sometimes with the help of my wonderful housekeeper, Bennie Wiley. Sometimes I would let one of the children paint along with me. As a result, all three of my girls can paint very well!

Q: What made you want to paint abstract art? Wray: I wanted to paint abstract art as well as realism. Abstract art, like music, can express emotions with shapes and color without depending on trees and other landscape objects. I have been trying for a long time to meld the two styles like some of the great artists of our time – Burchfield, John Marion, Walter Anderson and my teacher, Will Henry Stevens. I haven’t made it yet, but I’ve come close.

Q: What do you love about painting? Wray: I love [it] because I feel that I have something to say about God’s beautiful universe and his love for his people. Each painting is a challenge, and I love challenges.

Q: How did you come up with the idea of your poured paint technique? Wray: The poured painting series was a result of my seeing Paul Jenkins work at the museums in New York. I bought a book by him, and he generously shared how he did the pouring. I love watching the colors run together and making new shapes.

Q: you paint several different series, what do you like most about each one of them? Wray: In the Altar series, I liked having a design that I could use over many times using different themes and colors. I could express definite ideas plainly. I love Imaginary Dream series because it gives me a chance to be playful and use my imagination fully. I have always loved landscape. Trying to portray how beautiful the world is that God created – blooming flowers, sunlight and shadows stately trees. I hope to make people aware of this. My pouring is fun to do and is meant to be decorative. Making a room brighten up, spread joy and happiness.

Q: In addition to painting, you also started teaching art to your children and their friends and even continue to do so. Why do you like to teach painting? What do you hope your students get out of it? Wray: I like to teach children and adults because it gives me a chance to be with like-minded people and help them to have the joy of being able to express themselves in another way besides using words. Painting can be a lonely occupation. I like being able to share my paintings and enjoy theirs. After a class leaves, my fingers get itchy to paint also.

Q: What is your biggest accomplishment from your painting career? Wray: My biggest accomplishment from my painting was being selected to be a signature member in the National Watercolor Society and also being elected a Byrd High honoree.