The long awaited coffee table book is a handsome presentation of Jim Gray Artwork, and a compilation of original watercolor and oil paintings in the entire range of his life's work as a painter of landscapes, seascapes, and flower paintings, in addition to showcasing his bronze sculpture efforts
from Dolly Parton to Abraham Lincoln.
256 pages with 94 full color images and over 100 additional color images plus 18 pages of sculpture.

Bright sunlight filters through the new leaves of spring and bounces back from a deep slow moving pool. It's cool in the shadows, but the sun warms the rocks and invites you to find a place to rest and enjoy the "April Reflections".

Viva Italia!
Have you ever seen such a beautiful place as this. Stucco and clay tiles looking out over the rolling hills of Assisi. This particular spot is most likely remembered by anyone who has visited this place. As Jim passed down the steep and narrow street and looked off the the left, he knew at once that Assisi would find a way back into his studio time and again.

The gnarled body of this fine old tree has not kept it from putting on a show of color for all who pass to enjoy. Autumn remains a favorite time for Jim to seek out the beauty of the natural world.

The cool air of autumn rustles more than just the leaves of every tree on the mountain side; it also stirs the soul and makes the spirit soar. A few frosty nights combined with bright sunny days seems to be the recipe for really bringing out the most vivid colors of fall.
October claims the prize as the month that the most folks will make a pilgramage to the Great Smoky Mountains. Yet even so, the early weeks of November are often just as beautiful and treat those who come to see this annual display of nature's palette. It's a strange and wonderful sensation to feel an autumn breeze cause a chill on the skin and also a warm glow from the heart and soul.

In any season the dogwood is beautiful. The stark silhouetted branches of winter have a beauty all their own, yet they give way to the showy white petals of springtime. Summer's dense green foliage when touched by the cool nights of autumn turns to rich warm reds.

Throughout the country, in fields, prairies, and woods, from June through October, "Black Eyed Susans" can be seen growing in abundance. This happy yellow flower with its' dark 'eye' grows from one to three feet in height, covers hillsides and at times carpet large areas of fields and woods. Black Eyed Susans have an exquisite, unique beauty all their own, and show forth the singular proud strength of Jim's favorites... the wildflower weeds.

The best way to paint waves is to know waves. Lots of waves. No two are alike but they all have similarities. This Breaker is a typical type of wave coming into the beach at Gulf Shores with a wind blowing from the Southwest.

The life of many a rural community revolves around the worship and social activities of the chapel. Children are baptized then spiritually educated in Sunday school. Young folks often first noticed each other and later were married here. In times of thanksgiving, and trying times alike, people gather here to ask God's blessing and guidance. Many of these old country chapels have seen their children grow and mature, live long, and finally pass on. The cathedrals of the world are often testaments to the men that built them; but the humble chapel is truly a place where the spirit of the Lord may be found.

The light of a winter evening reflects in the still waters of McCaully branch as it passes the hay barn in Cades Cove. This section of the Great Smokies preserves a portion of the Park where man and nature found common ground for more than a century and both have flourished. A trip through Cades Cove this time of year brings to mind when holidays were celebrated in simpler, yet often more meaningful, ways.

In the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, you can find the good and the quiet side of life. Jim often paints on location, around small farms, back in the hills. Here we see an old gate, across a well used path from the house. Generations have used it and you can almost hear the squeak of the rusty hinges. A friendly Robin perched atop the gate, greets the morning. Before long he will be starting his journey farther south.

In East Tennessee there is a saying which goes "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." Although health and wisdom are not guaranteed, the beauty of the day's first light glistening on the dew covered countryside will surely enrich the beholder. "Early to Rise", the watercolor by Jim Gray, is a visual definition of the proverb from which the title came.

As the "End of the Day" approaches, children make the most of the fading light filtering across the snow covered landscape. The evening is getting colder and soon the warm glow from the windows will call them in.

With a few leaves of autumn still clinging to silhouetted branches, the "First Snow" of the season blankets the countryside of East Tennessee by early November. The contrast of light and dark, broken in places by the rich colors of fall, invite hardy souls to dress warmly and venture out. Always uncertain when it will arrive, the first snow is greeted with a certain excitement by young and old alike.

Again, Jim returns to the gardens that Fran has so lovingly built and tended around their home in Knoxville. The old chestnut rails were brought from the former homeplace in Gatlinburg, as were the forsythia and many of the irises. One can live in many places and be quite comfortable, but often it is the addition of a garden that truly makes it home. .

The Evil of Gossip
"He said, she said," and "don't tell a soul I told you this, but..."Often spoken without thinking, or at least without malice, these types of conversation can end up devastating lives and fracturing relationships.  Words taken out of context are sometimes passed on and twisted just a bit for the sake of a more interesting story.  The evil of gossip can only be stopped with truth from the source or by refusing to take part in it.                                                       A person can not gossip alone.
Like gossip, this image is also indirect, in that for some viewers the subjects are the three women, and for others it is the skull.

This exceptional image was painted from Morton Overlook near Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The rush of a stream against the quiet of a new snow presents a tranquility only God could create... Near Jim's home and studio, the Little Pigeon River flows out of the mountains, through the Greenbrier section of the Great Smokies National Park. The water is clear and clean. A blanket of snow muffles all sounds except the rush of the water over rocks. Jim shares this favorite place with us in his painting, "Greenbrier Winter".

A beautiful vista from High in the Smokies. It was views like this that Jim first saw in the mid sixties that captured his heart and inspired him to spend many years painting here. When Senator Howard Baker was chosen to be the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, he chose several Jim Gray paintings to accompany him. The original oil on canvas of High in the Smokies was place through the Art in Embassies program and hung with pride for all the world to see the beauty of Senator Baker's native East Tennessee.

When Ironweed blooms in late summer, its' brilliant purple crown of flowers accents meadows and road sides from New York to Georgia, from Louisiana to Illinois and as far west as Missouri. Ironweed is scattered throughout The Great Smoky Mountains, and abounds in the Cades Cove area of the park. The flowers used in this painting grew near Jim's studio.

Snow is on the ground and limbs of trees... a few leaves left from Autumn still hang on... the birds and squirrels around our house visit the feeders more often now. It's Wintertime". Our favorite squirrel, who has been around for several years now, spends time stuffing himself with sunflower seeds, corn and other goodies left at the feeders. We've named him "Fat Charlie" for obvious reasons."

A flock of Canada Geese has taken up residence on the calm waters of the Tennessee River, which runs past Jim's studio in Knoxville. The overcast sky is heavy with wet snowflakes which have just begun to drift straight down and capture the attention of the gathering flock. One by one the geese have maneuvered for position on the fallen tree. As the final pair approach, one has to wonder if they will also be able to climb on board and join in this unique "Log Jam".

The Smoky Mountains of Tennessee are beautiful. Simply beautiful. Green in spring. Cool in summer. Indescribable in the fall and inviting in winter's snow. Jim has been mountain watching for more than a forty years. He knows their faces. He knows their moods as well. One familiar mood is captured in these four scenes. Jim calls them Misty Mountains.

Each year thousands of hawks migrate through the Smokies as cold weather approaches. Some will winter over here and others will continue on to even warmer climates. As they soar on the thermals rising from the peaks of these mountains, these graceful flyers exhibit the pure joy of flight in the midst of Nature's Journey.

This watercolor represents the view Jim Gray had for many years from his home in Gatlinburg off Buckhorn Road. Mount LeConte in the background with the ridge of Mt Winisooka extend toward the front and the beautiful colors of autumn make this a favorite.

The Great Smoky Mountains abound with hundreds of wildflowers and flowering shrubs. Among these, one of the most beautiful is the Rhododendron. Growing in massive thickets or "slicks", at the many elevations, the Rhododendron is identified by the year round foliage of heavy green leaves. During the winter months, these leaves serve as a natural thermometer by rolling up tightly as the temperature drops. Visitors to the Park are rewarded with Rhododendron "slicks" in full bloom during the months of June and July. The trail to the Chimneys, the Laurel Falls trail and the Cades Cove trails to Abrams Falls are all exceptional locations to see this native plant throughout the year. Jim Gray has once again captured the beauty of the Smoky Mountain Wildflowers in his Spring 1986 release of "Rhododendron".

The morning mist has just about burned off in the bright sun of early autumn. These days fill all the senses and bring out a joy in the soul which can compel one, like the meadow lark, to break out into a "September Song".

The vibrant colors of autumn come alive in this watercolor Jim painted just below the covered bridge in Pittman Center. Late afternoon light adds to the intensity and depth of the many hues and creates a Smokies Reflection on the crystal clear water of the Little Pigeon River. Of all the beautiful times we enjoy here in the Smokies, surely autumn is the most spectacular.

A single flower can raise spirits and bring joy into the heart. A bouquet says "you're special", and both the giver and receiver share happiness in the exchange. A flower garden is a gift to all who will be so fortunate to pass by and share in the joy that loving hands in rich earth have created. If you've seen a special garden in the midst of your busy day, take time to enjoy its' beauty and share its' "Splendor" with all the world.

Springtime in the Smoky Mountains is a wonderful time to be here. All the newness of life surrounds you so that the hills seem to come alive with gentle breezes and soft colors

A cool breeze moves across a field where horses graze contently. The heat of the afternoon will be broken by the shade of hardwoods bordering this "Summer Pasture." Days are longer now and offer more time to see the beautiful countryside of East Tennessee.

Between Gatlinburg and Cades Cove in the Smokies, is a spot that has drawn sightseers, fishermen, and those seeking a spot to cool off on a hot summer day. This section of Little River is called "The Sinks" and is one of the most visited spots along the winding river road. Jim has captured the beauty and solitude of an autumn day for all to treasure and enjoy.

What do You see here?
Look again...
Within this image, which may appear abstract on first glance, there are actually at least 20 images from the story of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Do you see Mary in the center with the illumined Child wrapped in her arms?
The Wise Men bearing gifts...Herod with sword raised... Joseph looking to heaven...
The Star in the East...the Dove...
Peter downcast as three of the crowd question him and he denies for the third time even knowing his Lord.
The crown of thorns...in profile and again face on...
The pierced hand... The Soldiers
Our Savior on the cross as He would have been seen from His Father's view in heaven...
Are there others? There may well be. Perhaps you will find images that even Jim Gray has not yet seen.

Snow has covered the countryside like a soft, white blanket. The bright afternoon sun casts shadows, but does not disturb the peace of this "Winter Calm".

The light of day is fading quickly in the cold clear sky as the moon rises to watch over the night. The snow covered land reflects the changing sky and takes on a "Winter Glow". Such an evening suggest that peace on earth might be possible after all.