Painting has been Jo Ann Bray’s passion from early on.
Borrowing her father’s paints, she completed her first oil painting when she was six years old. It was of the cartoon The Flintstones. Instead of yelling at her for creating a mess her parents supported her passion for art. Growing up she frequented galleries and art classes. Jo Ann has studied various mediums, but her favorite is working in oils. It allows her to work with greater creativity and has more vibrancy than acrylics and watercolors.
The July Artist of the Month studied Fine arts at the California College of Arts and Crafts, University of Northern Colorado, and San Diego Art Academy. She continues to strive to improve and grow as an artist. Currently, she is studying painting with Stuart Burton at the Art Academy.
Early on, she was inspired by the paintings of John Sloan, Moses Soyer, and Edward Hopper. People and everyday scenes are her favorite subject matter. Their everyday moments, vulnerabilities, stories, emotions, and individuality are captured in her work.
She travels daily, searching for images with the right light, composition, and story. When viewing her work, you are invited to be a character in the scene and continue the story with your imagination.
She believes that painting comes first and the portrait comes second. One of her greatest compliments is that her painting is more admirable than the photo.
