Charitable Friends of Ashley Valley is excited to announce the commissioning of our talented local sculptor and artist, Arnie Gray. This project aims to pay tribute to our rich oilfield history and the remarkable individuals who played a vital role in its development. We look forward to celebrating their legacy through Arnie's artistic vision.
Arnie Gray
Old Roughneck Hippie,
Artist and Sculptor
After relocating to Vernal from Salt Lake City, I instantly fell in love with the Uintah Basin. The abundance of outdoor recreation captivated me right away. I quickly embraced the small town vibe, where the people welcomed me—a 20-something long-haired Deadhead—with open arms. I found a sense of belonging here that I never experienced in the city. From chasing lost gold stories to strumming my guitar on the downtown sidewalks, I've truly become a part of this incredible community. I’m proud to have called this place home for over 25 years. I actively strive to give back, embrace everyone for who they are, and leave a lasting legacy for a community that has enriched my life so much.
Art is the greatest gift I’ve received, and I’m thrilled to share it with all of you. I offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has touched my life and to all of you who have supported this amazing project.
"Hey Drill"
I quickly found myself in the oilfield, where I was dubbed a Roughneck. This young me felt overwhelmed and a bit scared as I was shown around the rig being told "This will kill you, this will kill you and this will kill you", yet to my surprise, I fit right in. After weeks of struggle, more than enough exhaustion, I realized I had found my place. Furthermore, I knew that I may just make it when that grumpy old operator bought me drinks and explained why I needed to toughen up, get in the middle of the work and began to explain what we were doing and why. Before long, I was promoted to driller, as much as I loved being in the derrick I was captivated by the work and running the rig. I would yell from the rig floor phrases like "born to drill" (even printing it on a t-shirt for my brand, Roughneck Gear) and often wondered out loud, and loudly, "I get paid to do this?" I drilled for about 10 years with one major wreck and not one major injury on my crew. After two years of flying back and forth to West Virginia I decided to take a position as a directional driller, where I thrived on the math and the challenge of hitting my targets. After many long years away from home and family I decided it was time to return home and embark on a new adventure. To all that I worked with you're all my oil brothers.
Photo: Union Drilling Rig #7 Left to right: Driller: Arnie, Motorman: William, Floorhand: Mike, and Floorhand: Worm.
Making an artist.
After making the bold decision to leave the rigs, I embraced the skills I cherished in my youth: art, welding, and blacksmithing. I secured a position as a welder while setting up my shop. One day, my friend and artist Ron Eye approached me with an exciting announcement: "I signed you up for a metal art contest." After some hesitation, I took on the bike rack project and transformed it into a stunning full-sized Utahraptor sculpture, proudly displayed in Cobble Rock Park in downtown Vernal. Since that moment, I've been fortunate to work exclusively in my shop, thriving in art, metalwork, blacksmithing, and taking on any challenge that comes my way. Living my dream has been a remarkable journey, and this bronze project marks not only the peak of my achievements but also a new beginning. I am grateful for the abundance in my life and the incredible support from my friends and community.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. I'd love to discuss creating a art project for you.
435-790-3477