The art field has always been a love of Tom's. Since early childhood he developed a strong interest in drawing and sculpting. He devoted much of his time to sketching and painting animals as well as setting up wooden armatures for study.

His devotion to the art field continues today. Tom is a master sculptor of life-size and half-size taxidermy mannikins and an exquisite painter of landscapes, portraits and wildlife in oil, acrylic and pencil mediums.

Tom Ray became a full time taxidermist in 1963. His first business was established in North Carolina where he specialized in big game and fish. Tom's business experience ranges from a one man shop to the largest studio in Alaska. This has allowed him to fully understand the needs of all taxidermy studios - large and small. Tom's twenty plus years in Alaska and his extensive travel around the world have given him not only the opportunity to collect specimens for the sculpting process, but to research and study them as well.

Tom continues to devote a great deal of time to the research of big game animals with an ear turned to the industry to provide taxidermists with the finest mannikins available. His eye for detail is remarkably accurate. Tom's final sculpture is truly a "portrait of nature" unsurpassed in accuracy and artistry.

Tom has extensive experience in all phases of taxidermy, and has entered numerous State and National competitions over the years. He became the first member of a select group of taxidermists to win "Taxidermy Review's" coveted "Distinguished Taxidermist" award in the game head division in April of 1981. The occasion was the "First Annual Rocky Mountain Taxidermy Competition" hosted by the Colorado Taxidermy Association.

Sculpting has always been a part of Tom's lifestyle. In 1989 Forest Hart contacted the Ray's about purchasing Hart Forms. Tom and Laurie were excited about the opportunity to operate a profitable taxidermy forms business, and in 1990 their dream became a reality. In 1990 the Ray's moved from Alaska to Maine to operate the business more economically. Tom's contact with taxidermists worldwide has given him the opportunity to hear the many ideas and concerns of the industry. It is through his commitment to hard work and innovative products that Rayline has thrived.

Tom will continue to provide his dramatic creations and innovative ideas to McKenzie Sports Products.