I was born and educated in the UK, I enjoyed drawing and painting from a young age.

My father was a skilled artist in his spare time and I used to enjoy watching his magic with a pencil.

I was fortunate to have been able to attend Saturday morning art classes at the local art school for two years while at high school. At that time, I enjoyed pencil sketching, plant drawing, scratch board work and oil painting.

After high school and college there seemed to be little time for art as I was working as a surveyor in the UK, Africa and India, immigrating to Canada in 1976.

Around 2008 I was encouraged to start painting again during a visit to the Harmony Arts Festival and have participated in numerous painting and drawing classes since then. I work mainly in watercolours and acrylics with some explorations into graphite and pastels.

I enjoy working in watercolours “en plein air” when the weather is favorable, also working from photographs I have taken, as photography is another of my interests.

 I enjoy nature and try to depict the “feeling” of the landscape in my artwork. Painting and drawing outdoors works best for me. I enjoy travelling and I almost always have a small watercolour kit with me including pens and pencils. Sitting down and recording the environment around me in this way is very satisfying. I also take photographs independently or as backup to the artwork. I never tire of our west coast landscape but I am also inspired by thIe landscapes found further afield during my travels.

I am trying hard to loosen up my work and simplify the finished product by working swiftly and omitting detail where possible, as well as exploring colour and contrast.

Hans Gray 

If you would like additional information about me or any of my work please feel free to contact me at

cell phone +1 (604) 551 0416 or Email me