Ray became the most famous for his portraits of the Navajo elders and the Navajo children dressed in their colorful native attire. Ray made regular driving trips to the Navajo Reservation, which was a 3-hour drive from their home in Prescott, AZ.

He and his family, daughter, Pamela and son, Steven, moved to Arizona in 1973 because he realized that he needed to visit the Native American tribes of the southwest as frequently as possible. Ray wanted to observe them in their surroundings and have them model for him for the paintings.

Eventually, he painted the Hopi, Pima, Apache and Nez Perce of Idaho and Sioux Indians. At this same time Ray was painting the ranching cowboys near their Prescott, AZ home.

Years later, Ray turned his artistic eye to those unique regions of Alaska, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Far East that have remained virtually unchanged for centuries. Ray had a desire to paint the people of the world, particularly in rural areas, as they worked hard on their land or with their crafts to earn a living.

Numerous awards and honors were bestowed upon Ray during these years.

Ray and Bev's family continued to grow as each child married and had children. Steve and Stephanie Swanson had two sons, Cody and Justin. David and Pamela had four children, Victoria, Jacquelyn, Preston and Parker.


Pamela and David operated their own gallery, Pierce Fine Art, in Scottsdale, AZ during the 1990's. When they sold the gallery, Pam became a full-time gospel singer and they moved to the Franklin, Tennessee area. Pamela still retains an interest in advancing artist's careers and selling art. Steve and Stephanie operate the Swanson Art and Frame business from Phoenix, AZ.

Ray will be remembered for his quiet and gentle spirit and for his beautiful paintings that will endure and be enjoyed for many years.(SOURCE)