Feature Artist Dewana Gray

Dewana Gray discovered her interest in art in the 8th grade under the tutelage of Leonard Witcher, her arts and crafts teacher. He gave her a strong background in drawing and understanding of perspective. She took her first class in oils in 1974 under an artist who told Dewana she might not be able to teach her to paint, but she would teach her to SEE.

Dewana has continued to paint as a hobby since, with some time off during the years when she owned and managed a travel agency. There was not much time to paint during those busy years. After her husband, Warren, retired they lived for ten years near Cloudcroft, New Mexico and she had the opportunity to take workshops each summer in drawing and oil painting at the Mountain Majesty Art School. She still takes workshops when the opportunity arises, continually learning from the various instructors.

The paintings Dewana enjoys the most are ones done on actual location. A perfect day for her is one spent outdoors with oil paints and easel. The end result of the painting is never as important to her as the time spent with a paint brush in her hand. She states it is therapeutic to her soul.

Dewana and Warren (Dub) have been married for 51 years, and have lived in Sun City for three years. Besides painting, Dewana's other hobby is their seven grandchildren.