'Excellent' artist earns respect of students
Josh Ray

Diversions Editor

After beginning his professional career in art at the age of 20, Jim Bray worked at an array of jobs that would build up a strong background in art and design.

Bray, professor of art, has been teaching at Missouri Southern since 1992. He was hired on as department head and a painting instructor. Before that, though, Bray worked at a variety of jobs that would help him build a strong background in design and art.

After graduating from college with a double major, Bray began working for Hallmark in Kansas City. At first he started out as a designer and illustrator, but then moved on to become the department head of contemporary art.

 That was a wonderful opportunity,  Bray said.  I could write a book about that one. 

For a good portion of the beginning of his career, Bray said he spent most of his time working on his art. He started to forget about the  important aspects of life,  like his family. The artist realized how hard the field of art was.

 Being an artist is a rather intensive and lonely line of work,  he said.

Bray worked at Hallmark until he was 28, at which time he began working for both Hallmark and teaching at Phillips University in Oklahoma. The change in jobs was not easy. He said he actually did not even like students at first.

 I had to retrain myself,  he said.

After leaving Phillips to begin teaching at Southern, he began concentrating his time on his teaching and less on art. He discovered a new joy in teaching students.

 Students today are pretty exciting to work with,  Bray said.  I ve had real, real good luck with students here. 

David Noblett, associate professor of art, has known Bray for the 10 years he has been at Southern. He describes him as a great teacher whom the students enjoy.

 They respect him,  Noblett said.  He s an excellent artist and designer and very strong in typography, illustration and lettering. If I were half the teacher he is, I d be a good teacher. 

Bray has a high respect for the students he teaches. He likes to draw and work right alongside them in class. He describes his students as  pretty exciting to work with. 

 He draws right along with them,  Noblett said.  They get experience along with him. 

Bray is balancing spending time with his wife, teaching and working on a couple of art projects. He is the father of two  successful  sons.

Some of his art is being featured in an art exhibit titled  Reflections.  The exhibit is being held at the Three Rivers Healthcare Art Gallery at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff.

His most current work is a painting of a Nazi airplane for a former German Luftwaffe pilot. Besides that, he is just trying to  focus on classes. 

Bill Shepard/The Chart

Jim Bray grades a student's project in his typography class. He has received many awards for his own art works.