Jim painted this as he sat on his front porch near Durango, Colorado... This lovely deer family visits him often. Born and raised in northern California, Jim Rey’s keen interest in ranch life was fueled by his grandfather and uncle, both cattle ranchers.

Although his subject matter primarily focuses on horses, Rey often paints cowboys and western life. Jim spends time at various ranches to paint and photograph providing an authenticity that the viewer can feel. He strives to take a thought and bring his own way of looking at things into a final image, demonstrating visually what he cares about. Jim’s common denominator in all his work is his lifelong love of the horse.

Jim Rey has had the good fortune to be a professional painter for over 45 years. Prior to that, he was an illustrator and a graphic arts director, in both Hollywood and the San Francisco Bay Area. His work is frequently exhibited in museums, and several now hang in their permanent collections. Jim’s art has been featured in major art magazines and commissioned by Bantam Books for Louis L’Amour and for the TV show Bonanza. His paintings are collected worldwide, with pieces residing in the United States Embassy in the Netherlands.

Jim and his wife, Sharon, raised their five children outside Durango, Colorado, where they continue to reside.