Claire Vanessa Gray
I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be an artist - I started drawing in kindergarten and never stopped. When my middle school teacher recommended I attend Booker High School, my parents listened to her advice and enrolled me there. That's where I took college credit art courses and started selling portraits. Portrait drawing turned out to be my special talent, something I innately seemed to know how to do without actually being taught the process. It became my big thing throughout life, the thing that got me special attention. I took jobs in retail along the way to learn business, and I went to college where I made it into PTK, though I didn't graduate because I ended up moving before I could complete my degree. In 2021, I finally went full-time as an artist and have stayed full-time ever since. My approach to art is deeply personal - I do a lot of networking online and socially, meeting people and earning their trust through building friendships, and those often end up being my clients. I find inspiration in people, in their stories and personalities, and I believe the best way to do a portrait is to really get to know someone on a personal level. That way, you capture not just the image, but who they are. I've turned all my hobbies into my profession, creating this custom job that's all about my passions, because that's a good way to self-motivate - if you're obsessed with certain hobbies, you'll be more than happy to work on them all the time.
• Booker High School (college credit art courses)
• PTK (Phi Theta Kappa) member - college incomplete
• Ringling School of Art and Design-incomplete
• State College of Florida-incomplete
• EA Creator Network member
• Influential Women 2026 feature
• EA Support a Creator
• EA Creator Network
• PTK (Phi Theta Kappa)
• EA Support a Creator
• Volunteered time at a cat refuge
What do you attribute your success to?
Motivation to work hard on art and a strong passion for gaming. I always have a ton of ideas I want to turn into art or stories. I have a routine that shapes my daily life where I dedicate time to creative work regardless of whether I get paid for it. Long term hard work and putting my work online helped me find great opportunities in the gaming industry.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My dad, who recently passed away, was my role model as a self-employed businessman. He was, like me, very into working constantly and doing everything he can, coming up with inventive ideas to make money. I wanted to follow in his footsteps, so I really just watched him and learned from him and followed it. He taught me by example what it means to be self-employed and entrepreneurial.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never give up, be persistent. Don’t lose hope over rejection, keep trying to find opportunities and apply to them. Always make yourself known to people in the industry you are interested in and network, it could hugely pay off.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge for me is having the motivation to sell art rather than just gift it, because I tend to be a softy. I'm not super money motivated. But when I try, I succeed - I just don't always try. It's about balancing my generous nature with the business side of being an artist.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Having a strong work ethic and generosity are the values most important to me in both my work and personal life. These principles guide how I approach my art and how I interact with people.
Milestone Moments
Reward Acceptance Ceremony for PTK