Indiana University East will feature Two Great Artists ¬– One Great Show during its exhibit in The Gallery today until February 15.

Richmond residents W. Ray Stevens and Doris Turnbaugh each began their art training at an early age and today paint their surroundings in oils and watercolor.

Ray says he is fortunate to have been exposed to art at an early age while in school. He soon developed into a serious artist and began studying with Bob Brubaker in 1970, took art classes at IU East and painted in the summer at the Rockport, Massachusetts Art Colony.

His works are mostly in oil and watercolor. His subjects range from still lifes to landscapes and portraits. Ray has had his work accepted in local, regional and national art competitions and has received numerous prizes and awards; has had one-person and group shows; and his work is represented in private, public and corporate collections. His works have been exhibited at the Richmond Art Museum’s annual show, Georgia Watercolor Society and the Alabama Watercolor Society. Inspired by an event in Georgia, started the “Art to Heart” auction fundraiser produced in collaboration with the Richmond Art Museum and Reid Hospital and Health Care Services.

In addition to his own art, he has given workshops and demonstrations and has been a juror for art competitions. In 2007, Stevens received the Indiana Artists Club Best of Show Award.

Doris was born in Indianapolis and moved to Richmond at the age of 10. She began her art training at an early age and worked with many artists including Robert Wood, Charles Reid, Marilyn Phyllis, Jean Dobie and Bob Brubaker. She studied art at the Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis and received additional training at Earlham College and Miami University. She has attended workshops around the United States as well as in England and Norway.

Inspired by artists such as Winslow Homer, Doris works primarily in watercolor. She is drawn to the local scenes of Richmond and Wayne County and enjoys painting floral still lifes and portraits. Her self-styled favorite are horses and she is recognized as one of the most successful equine artists in the country.

Her work is held in many private collections in the Richmond area and she is among the members of the Richmond Artisans with an international audience. Among these are museums and collection in the United States and Europe. In addition to The Artisans, Doris is a member of the Pastel Society of America, Pen Women of America, Indiana Artists Club, Indiana Watercolor Society and the Equine Art Society of America.

A reception will be held for the artists at 7 p.m. on January 16. Accomplished pianist, Carol Lou Woodward, will play during the reception.

Visitors are welcome to view the exhibit during gallery hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call Ed Thornburg, gallery curator, at (765) 973-8605