Meet Artist of the Month Ray Vincent

One of the friendliest people I have met at markets so far is Ray! I set up my booth next to her at a market and she struck up a conversation with a smile. I am happy to be able to share her work which is inspired by nature like mine. Learn more about this cheerful artist and her work below!

You can give her a follow on Instagram at: Ray Vincent – Whimsical Wildlife Artist (@littlerayoflightdesign)

Email her at: Littlerayoflightdesign@gmail.com and visit her website: HOME | Little-Ray-Of-Light-Design-Asheville (littlerayoflightde.wixsite.com)

Carolina: What inspires your work?

Ray: It all started back in 2018 with a brief visit to the dollar store during the summer. I found myself in the garden section with an array of adorable bird feeders so I grabbed the cutest feeder along with a bag of bird seed and oh my goodness, I was in for the biggest surprise! Our bedroom has a gorgeous view of a tree right in front of our home which is where I ended up hanging the bird feeder. Our view of the tree soon became a beautiful & personal wildlife bird sanctuary. I would see these gorgeous birds fly over to the feeder and I wanted to learn more about these local visitors so I downloaded the free Merlin Bird ID app to help me identify the types of feathered friends that were coming to the feeder. I purchased a camera so I could begin capturing photos and referencing what bird I would see during which season and then soon deemed myself a ‘birder’ as I began to venture on free birding tours in and around Asheville through the Blue Ridge Audubon Society. I was blown away by each bird’s colors, songs, and personality! I quickly realized that the squirrels wanted in on the feeder so I invested in a squirrel picnic bar that was attached to the tree in front of our home. My fiance and I found ourselves laughing hysterically while capturing videos and photos of the squirrels enjoying their cuteness and wild antics! One day, the cutest squirrel came to the windowsill to kindly request a refill at the squirrel picnic feeder lounge. My fiance was able to capture the most precious photo of the squirrel and that inspired me to paint this adorable critter on a mini canvas which is now my business logo and is also one of the most adored art prints in my wildlife critter art print collection! On my hikes and strolls around the neighborhood I got to have more beautiful encounters with wildlife such as groundhogs, opossums, turtles, toads, black bears and raccoons! I would reference photos I would capture on my camera or phone and begin painting each adorable critter. I now have an adorable collection of critter prints where I feel I capture their wonderful essence and personality! I feel that each critter is a little ray of light and serves a special purpose on this earth and that’s where I got the inspiration to name my business, Little Ray of Light Design, LLC. My time in nature always blows me away and that’s where I find my inspiration to paint whimsical wildlife art.

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Carolina: What’s your cultural background?

Ray: I was born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and I was adopted when I was 6 months old. Through my parents’ career paths, we had the opportunity to live abroad in Lusaka, Zambia and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during my childhood years. I went to international schools and I realized I was immersed with so many students from different cultural backgrounds and I was blown away by all the different languages I got to learn and hear! I feel very privileged and thankful to have experienced life abroad as this inspired me to teach English abroad in several different countries after college. I love meeting individuals from all walks of life and I want to continue to visit more countries abroad!

Carolina: What are your hobbies outside of art?

Ray: I love to go birding and strolls at local parks, particularly at Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary. I am always excited to know which furry or feathered friend I will be greeted by that day! I always look forward to finding myself a free book at the little libraries in and around the neighborhoods of Asheville! I love walks on the greenways with my fur baby, Lyla. She is the love of my life and through her, I learn to live in the present and enjoy the precious moments in life. My fiancé and I enjoy venturing out on day trips with Lyla to small towns in Western North Carolina to find an adorable coffee shop and a lovely place to eat and perhaps do a little shopping/thrifting! Otherwise, I’m busy searching for fun and easy DIY crafts on Youtube!