Collection: Jim Rey

“I’ve seen what hard work and diligence does, both in art and on the range.” - Jim Rey

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 the equine, Rey often paints the cowboy and the ranching experience. Spending time at various ranches and landscape locations to paint and photograph provides 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. However, the common denominator in all his work is his lifelong love of the horse.

Rey has had the good fortune to have been 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 works are frequently exhibited in museums, and several now hang in their permanent collections. He has been featured in most major art magazines and has been commissioned by Bantam Books for Louis L’Amour short story collections and novel, as well as novel versions of the TV show Bonanza. His paintings are collected nationally and internationally, with pieces residing for a time 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.