Of all the art galleries in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community of Gatlinburg, I have to say that the one I always stop in is Jim Gray Gallery ( used to be called Churchmouse Gallery) in the hundred year old church building next to the Cliff Dwellers. The subtle watercolor and bold oil paintings of Jim Gray are amazing. From landscapes of the Smokies, to seascapes of the Gulf coast and all the way up to Maine. Not only paintings, prints, and framing, but Jim Gray is a sculptor also. When you go through Pigeon Forge and on to Sevierville, be sure to drive by the courthouse and see the bronze sculpture of Dolly Parton that Jim Gray was commissioned by the residents to honor Dolly back in 1987. Back to the gallery, I always enjoy seeing the pottery they have throughout the place. Locally made in Gatlinburg at Buie Pottery, there is a vast selection of wonderful stoneware that is both beautiful and functional. On one of my last stops I was pleased to see that Jim Gray now has a DVD that features the entire range of his painting. \r
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I read in the local paper and then saw the actual book the other day, where Jim Gray's oil painting Autumn Breezes was chosen as the artwork for the cover of the 2009 Tennessee Vacation Guide that is going to be handed out all over the state this year. They are featuring the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and decided that a Jim Gray image would be perfect for the cover with the fall colors on the mountains and leaves drifting on the wind.\r
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Speaking of books, I now have the Jim Gray coffee table book in my living room. It is beautiful and not only tells the life story of this great artist, but also has nearly a hundred pages of full color images of Jim Gray artwork in all his range of subjects. \r
What more can I say about Jim Gray Gallery? Only that you should go there see for your self.
Pros: Beauiful art in a lovely setting, with an informed and pleasant staff and pleanty of parking.
Cons: So much to choose from that I have to keep going back.
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