"I struggled for years with having blocks about what art should be and how to incorporate spiritual values. I did not know that I could do portraits, but it was channeled to me to try working in metaphysical bookstores.

I approached Judith at “A Peace of the Universe Bookstore” in Scottsdale, Arizona, who guided and helped me to develop this unique approach. It has taken several years for all the pieces to fall into place, but it has been an adventure for me."

Each is drawn with pastels or watercolors on archival paper that is 100% acid free. The client sends me an individual photo of choice, a reading is done, and the animal totem is incorporated into the portrait.

The work is sealed with a fixative spray to prevent damage. Additional figures and animals can be incorporated. The drawing unframed and sent in a sturdy mailer, along with a detailed copy of the reading.

Prices are listed below.

Newest Portraits
All portraits 12" x 16". Pastels and colored pencils. These original commissioned works are not for sale but are available as prints. Custom portraits like these may ordered directly from Carolyn Gray. Email for details.

"Knowing I was to do this show, it came to me to honor “all my relations”. “Mitakuye Oyasin”, is a Lakota, Sioux term used in prayer and ceremony that means, honoring all our relations. In my understanding, we are honoring those past, not only our immediate relatives, but the elders, who have dedicated their lives to preserve our freedoms and show us the way.

I have chosen to do these portraits of my immediate family, as well as those who have given me more than they realize - the gifts of understanding, respect and love.

I honor them all here".

“Judith at A Peace of the Universe” (pastel)

Judith owns a bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona and was the person, who helped me develop my art in a spiritual way. I was living alone at the time and had to buy a vehicle.

With her help, guidance,providing me with a place to create and sell my portraits, I was able to finance the vehicle (my very first new vehicle with air conditioning). Not only did this provide me with a way for doing my spiritual art, giving me practice, but ultimately led me down my spiritual path.

Judith asked me to do her portrait after she had a profound spiritual experience, where the eagle had appeared to her. Her joy and enthusiasm is conveyed in this work and I will always owe her a remembrance of thanks.

"Guy Red Owl" (pastel)

I have been so intrigued by Native Americans, and was drawn to ask him a million questions, but I knew Guy’s wife, before I really got to know him.

He wanted his portrait done with the wolf. The wolf represents being the teacher. Guy is a very illusive fellow, but he provides Sweat Lodges as one of his forms of service .I asked if I could trade the portrait for coming to his house and doing Sweat Lodges, and it was agreed.

He has become a mentor and trusting friend, who likes to play tricks, but is for me, definitely wolf medicine.

"Natasha" (pastel)

This portrait was from a request from  her mother who has been a friend for a long time. I have known Natasha from when she was a little girl, but hadn't seen her for many years.

When I saw the photo of her, the wolf came to me because, like her mother, had come through difficult times and stood strong.

"Judy" (pastel pencil)   20" x 22"

“Judy has been my friend from the 60”s and still she is a beautiful woman. It is interesting to me how our friends change, but the essence of Judy with spirit and vitality is still in her face.

She is now involved with homeopathic medicine and cares for people in a good way. She had seen many red-tailed hawks at the time I was to do her portrait and this was the animal that she requested to go in her portrait. Like the hawk,
Judy is strong, creative and definitely, delivers messages for those who are ill.”

“Jimmy”   (pastel)

This is one of the first portraits I did and is of my son. I did this drawing from a photo where my son was at the beach, pensive in front of a fire.

My son loves to go to Mexico and the ocean, and I put him with a dolphin. I later learned that the dolphin is for joy and they are in tune with the breath and sound with sonar ability.

"Scott" (pastel pencil)  12" x 16"

“Scott requested that I do his portrait with the dolphin. I was pleased with the results of this work.

He is happy, fun and cares a great deal about people, and leads an interesting life. He seems to skipping across the water, like the dolphin.”

"Peggy" (pastel)

I met Peggy at a conference and she knew that she wanted her portrait done. After we did her cards, the hawk came up. She is another very strong woman, who had raised many children, been a good wife and had put herself through school. She was a healer and now she knew it was her turn. She was embarking on her own new life. She had bought herself a trailer, now going to go different places, park the trailer and find out all about herself.

It seemed appropriate to me that the hawk was taking wing, and I hope she is flying, still.

"Grandfather Wallace Black Elk" (watercolor) 22" x 30"

“I met Grandfather at a conference and asked him if I could take his picture and do his portrait. Grandfather smiled his big smile and agreed. He was pleased with his portrait and honored me by blessing my pipe before sunrise.

I chose the animal that I believe represents Grandfather, which is the eagle and surely, he flies with eagles. He did much humanitarian work, teaching any one who asked him and always with a big smile.”

“Linda is an elder and has done tremendous amount of service work in her community, working to form an environmental organization, through her practice as a marriage counselor, and with Native American ceremonial practices with a focus for women. With this in mind, the buffalo, who gives all to the tribe was added to the painting.

Linda found my web site and was interested in me illustrating it for her. She is still in the editing phase, but the book relates ceremony to every-day life. I went to visit her in Portland, Oregon and had the good fortune to participate there in women’s ceremony.

A shaman from South America gave her the name, Uputini Warmi, with her animal totem of the scorpion. He related how from the tail of the scorpion, people climb up her hair.”

Self Portrait -- 26" x 26"  Watercolor   $2,000 (Framed)

“This painting was the beginning of my journey with animals, which led me to the Native American path. I was attending a watercolor class and the teacher asked us to paint ourselves as animals.

On the spur of the moment I chose the birds and butterfly. I had no idea of their meaning and symbolism. This led me, because of my curiosity into the avenue of totem animals and to do other people’s portraits with their animal totems.”

This work is done with photographs chosen by client and sent to C. Gray.

For pastels on paper 12” X 16”- $200. - 20” X 22” - $400. (includes one person and one animal) Each additional person - $300. and each additional animal - $200.

For watercolors on paper 22” X 30 “ - $2,000. Each additional person - $300. and animal
$100.

For acrylic paint with mixed media the cost will vary according to the size agreed upon by client. For work approximately 22” X 30”, the cost will be as the watercolor cost.

Half of the fee is required before work is started and remaining half paid when work is completed.