Rusty Gray is living her dream in Waxhaw, North Carolina with her husband, their dogs, chickens, a mini-horse, and a donkey. Her love of animals has spilled over into her sculpture and provides continuous inspiration.
After receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Newcomb College in New Orleans, Rusty spent years following a business career. In 2002, she rediscovered her love for sculpture while taking classes from Cantey Kelleher, a successful portrait sculptor in Charlotte. Cantey is still a major influence and has taught Rusty how to actually “see” the subject she is sculpting. She has also been influenced during various workshops, including with noted wildlife artist, Sandy Scott, animal sculptor, Louise Peterson, and many sculpture sessions at Penland School of Crafts.
Rusty works in her small log cabin studio, right on their property. Whether working in traditional clay or the non-drying modeling materials known as “clean clay,” She interprets the subject using a large amount of detail, texture, and often some exaggeration. Her finished work is typically foundry cast in bronze.
