Female

My reason for painting is to express my inner-most feelings, my deep love for God, and the world He created. Feeling that painting should not be exclusively realistic or abstract, I travel freely between the two, combining them when necessary to convey my emotional and philosophical responses to the subject. Recently, I started a new series of non-objective paintings based on symbols…universal as well as personal, subjective ones. The series is a result of some Jungian studies in conjunction with my "inner journey" and an outgrowth of my Judeo-Christian background and strong beliefs. This series is called "Inside Looking Out"...a name representing my "inner person" looking toward the light of truth.Presently, my work has consolidated into the direction I have been looking for all my life. I'm so excited. I can hardly finish one before another is formed in my mind.

Born Geraldine Smitherman, a native of Shreveport Louisiana and the mother of four children, she received her BFA from Newcomb College Art School, Tulane University in New Orleans.

Jerry, one of the art pioneers of Shreveport has been a leader in the local art groups. She participates in workshops and conducts weekly art classes in her studio.

Ms. Wray began working in watercolor in 1943 as student at Newcomb College Art School. She graduated with honors for the best senior project. The drawing painting portion was selected to represent Newcomb in a student exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. It was later used as a teaching tool at Newcomb. After graduating, she became a professional painter and now works in a wide variety of water media, including watercolors, inks, acrylics and collage, often combining them to product exciting visual expressions with a special emphasis on color.

Jerry has won over forty awards in the last thirty years in juried exhibits, has had 28 shows in the last 15 years and many group exhibitions throughout the U.S. including the Virgin Islands. Her paintings have been purchased internationally for both private collections and several Fortune 500 companies. A German firm recently purchased some of her originals and has published and distributed high quality, limited edition worldwide, as far away as Japan. In 1996, she was elected to the National Association of Women Artists. In 1999 she was selected to be in Manhattan Arts Magazine Showcase Award. She is represented in 7 galleries and 7 museums world-wide.

As an active grandmother she makes time to paint with her daughters and grandchildren...the three generations had a show at the Barnwell Art Center in Shreveport. A disciplined, prolific artist, Jerry has painted over 1000 paintings in the last 10 years. Her work can be found in many galleries across the nation and museum collections. In the past, Jerry was inducted into the Visual Arts Hall of Fame, Shreveport, Louisiana. This year, Mrs. Wray will be inducted into the Byrd High School Hall of Fame.

Jerry has had 20 one-person shows in the last 11 years.

Mrs. Wray has also had much TV and newspaper coverage including a thirty minute interview on the Shreveport Channel. Her publications consist of “American Artists of Renown”, “Encyclopedia of Water Color Techniques for Landscape” by Slogan, and Marquis “Who’s Who in the World 1998-2007”.

Memberships
Louisiana Watercolor Society - LWS
Federation of Western Watercolor Society - FWS
Elected member of the Louisiana Artists
National Watercolor Society - NWS
Southwestern Watercolor Society - SWS
Watercolor Society of Houston - WASH-H
Georgia Watercolor Society - GWS
International Society of Experimental Artists - ISEA
National Association of Women Artists - NAWA

Museums
Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Museum (Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey)
Goddard Museum (Ardmore, Oklahoma)
Meir Museum (Lynchburg, Virginia)
Biblical Art Center (Dallas, TX)
Meadows Museum (Shreveport, Louisiana)
The State Exhibit Museum (Shreveport, Louisiana)
Multi-Cultural Center (Shreveport, Louisiana)

Private Collectors
The King of Saudi Arabia’s Summer Palace
Ying Wai Linn, (Singapore)
Lawrence Walmsly, (Germany)
Mr. & Mrs. Leon Loard (Alabama)
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Chappell (England)
Mr. & Mrs. Norman Kinsey (Louisiana)
Mrs. Ora Marie Tempelton, (Texas and New Mexico)
Dr. B. & Ann Jones (Louisiana)

Public Collectors
Louisiana State Capitol Building (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
LSU Medical Center (Shreveport, Louisiana)
Deposit Guaranty Bank of Shreveport, Louisiana
Bank One of Shreveport, Louisiana
Lockhaven University (Pennsylvania)
AM South Bank of Shreveport, Louisiana
Three Fortune 500 Companies

Her work is included in many online fine art gallery sites as well.

http://www.jerrywray.com

Newcomb College Art School, Tulane University