Ray Baxter grew up in a creative home, surrounded by his father’s paintings. As a teenager, Ray found inspiration from Maxfield Parrish, Norman Rockwell and vintage French poster art. Early influences shaped his appreciation for color, mood, and narrative in painting.

While living in Bucks County, PA, Ray painted a local mansion that caught the eye of renowned watercolorist Ranulph Bye. Bye encouraged him to take art classes to develop his natural talent—a pivotal moment that set Ray on a path of study with other accomplished artists. In 2000, Ray relocated to Sydney, Australia, where he studied at Hazelhurst Art Centre. Recognized for his talent again, he went on to learn from artists Charles Billich, Kevin Taylor, Ros Psakis, Herman Pekel, Colley Whisson, and John Corby. His style reflects the influence of these masters while remaining uniquely his own—bold, colorful, textured, and infused with a graphic flair.

Since returning to Washington in 2008, Ray has been active in the local art community and participates with Northwest Oil Painters Guild, (NOPG) and Ridgefield Art Association. His work has earned many awards, including second place at the Camas Plein Air competition, first place at NOPG shows and is featured in local galleries.

Ray’s subject matter is diverse—yet always unified by strong design and storytelling. He paints large, vibrant images that invite viewers into the moment. His philosophy is simple: his last painting is always his favorite painting.