After long treks through mountains and beaches, Gray sets up his easel at sunset, capturing the fleeting light that bathes the landscape. Using a large palette knife and thick oil paint, he creates textured, tactile paintings that reflect the mood of the place rather than a detailed representation. The natural elements—breezes, fog, and birds—enhance his experience and impression of the scene.

Born in Anderson, Indiana, Gray began painting at age 12. Supported by his family, he painted on location and later earned a B.A. in painting from Indiana Wesleyan University. His first solo exhibition was in Indianapolis during college. He went on to earn a master’s in landscape architecture in 2012, deepening his understanding of natural and man-made environments.

In Indiana, Gray painted abstract landscapes, often focusing on human-made structures like dams and landfills, exploring beauty in unexpected places. After moving to the California Bay Area in 2015, he returned to plein air painting, capturing first impressions of the diverse landscapes around him.