James Taylor Gray

PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST: For both this week’s cover illustration of Amy Adams and last week’s portrait of Ben Affleck, The Santa Barbara Independent called on the help of one James Taylor Gray. The 26-year-old Westmont grad says he’s been drawing all his life but started seriously pursuing art after graduation. Since then, his work has been featured at several spots around S.B., including a recent solo exhibit (his first) at The French Press on Figueroa Street. For both his SBIFF covers, Gray looked to his classical portraiture background to help capture the drama of his star subjects. “I tried to portray them as if they had sat for a portrait,” he explained. “I thought maybe a more serious take on their personas would help bring out the gravity of the roles they’re being honored for.” For more of Gray’s work, visit jamestaylorgray.com.