About the Artist

Born Geraldine Smitherman, a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, and the mother of four children, Jerry Wray received her BFA from Newcomb College Art School, Tulane University in New Orleans.

Jerry began working in watercolor in 1943 as student at Newcomb College Art School. She graduated with honors for the best senior project. The drawing-painting portion was selected to represent Newcomb in a student exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. It was later used as a teaching tool at Newcomb.

After graduating, she became a professional painter and worked in a wide variety of water media, including watercolors, inks, acrylics and collage, often combining them to produce exciting visual expressions with a special emphasis on color.

Jerry was one of the art pioneers of Shreveport and a leader in the local art groups. She participated in workshops and conducted weekly art classes in her studio.

Jerry won countless awards in juried exhibits, had dozens of one-person shows and numerous group exhibitions throughout the U.S. Her paintings have been purchased internationally for both private collections and several Fortune 500 companies. In 1996, she was elected to the National Association of Women Artists. In 1999 she won the Manhattan Arts Magazine Showcase Award. She is represented in galleries and museums world-wide.

As an active grandmother, she made time to paint with her daughters and grandchildren...the three generations had a show at the Barnwell Art Center in Shreveport. A disciplined, prolific artist, Jerry has painted over 1000 paintings in the last 10 years. Her work can be found in many galleries across the nation and museum collections. In the past, Jerry was inducted into the Visual Arts Hall of Fame, Shreveport, Louisiana and the Byrd High School Hall of Fame.

Jerry also had much TV and newspaper coverage, including Louisiana Public Broadcasting.

Her work is included in many online fine art gallery sites as well.