Book Review: Roads I've Traveled

The week before last I went on vacation for Spring Break with my father to Jonesborough, Tennessee.  On our way back from Jonesborough earlier that week, we stopped to stay in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where one of our long-time friends owned a chalet up in the mountains that was at the time vacant.  They had left a book for us to read during our down time, and I have to say… It was spectacular! Roads I’ve Traveled is an entire book full of art by Mr. Jim Gray, a local artist to the area.  Though he is probably most known in the United States for his East Tennessee paintings, Gray also has done many paintings of settings world-wide and is also known for such.  The beautiful colors and unique structure of his paintings provoke such a sense of beauty and serenity in the viewer that one could hardly show justice to his work by merely saying a few words on the subject.  But, none-the-less, on to the book review…

Roads I’ve Traveled

Jim Gray

Personal Review...

Just, wow. I almost don’t even know where to begin on this review.  This beautifully crafted work of art keeps you turning the page constantly and discovering the beauty behind many different places.  Some of these places include East Tennessee, France, and Italy.  With such a wondrous palette called Earth, Gray does a remarkable job at highlighting the most beautiful aspects of the places he paints.  As the official website for the Jim Gray Art Gallery nicely describes the coffee table book: “…[it] 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…”.  The book has a total of 256 pages, with 94 full color images and over 100 additional color images, plus 18 pages of sculpture.  The website goes on to describe the book as a first edition; however, while I was staying in Gatlinburg, a woman working at the Jim Gray Gallery there had said that it was unlikely that Jim Gray would be coming out with a second edition anytime soon.  So this is a must-read for everyone since this will most likely be one of the only chances for the public to view his work in bound-form.  Additionally, the book includes Gray’s life story as well as many of his personal photos, drawings, sketches, and paintings that have never been seen before.  The only real downside to this book is its price.  On the Jim Gray Gallery’s website, the 12” x 16” book goes for $125.  If you’re like me and you’re definitely not looking at spending that much money on a book, then why not just go on the Jim Gray website (here) and at the very least check-out some of his work.  It really is 'one of a kind'.

Have a nice rest of the week!

xo. haley

Jim Gray Art Gallery