We were lucky to catch up with Xavier Gray recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Xavier thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far has been the Welcome Race Fans project with the Indy Arts Council and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Growing up in Indy, the 500 was always a big part of life for me. I still remember being in elementary and middle school, when honor roll students got to take photos with an Indy 500 car and go out to the track for time trials. That early connection made the race feel special.

Getting selected as one of the artists for Welcome Race Fans felt like things coming full circle. For my piece, I looked to the 1990 Chevy Beretta pace car for inspiration—there were actually two versions that year, one yellow and pink and the other turquoise and pink. I liked how bold and different those colors were, so I brought that same energy into my work.

One of the best parts was seeing my piece turned into a billboard downtown and displayed at the airport. It was surreal to see something I made become part of the city during race season, where people from all over could see it. That kind of public recognition, and knowing my art was part of such a huge local tradition, really made this project stand out for me.

Xavier, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m xaviergray, an artist based in Indianapolis. My work is all about blending influences from street art, graphic design, and my own story. I usually paint on canvas or wood panels, and I build and paint my own frames for each piece. I use acrylic, spray paint, and mixed media to experiment with color, pattern, and shape—always trying to find new ways to combine sharp lines with loose gestures or mix up patterns and bold colors.

I actually started out as a music producer and engineer, something I’d been doing since middle school. Around 2014 or 2015, while living in Atlanta, I stumbled into painting almost by accident. After a studio session, I wandered into an art show next door and thought, “I draw all the time—I could do this.” The next day, I picked up some canvases and acrylic paint and just started experimenting. That hands-on, try-it-and-see approach still drives my work today.

Since then, I’ve worked on a range of projects, from paintings and digital murals to custom commissions and even illustrating four children’s books. I’m always looking for ways to push my style further, whether it’s through new materials, exploring digital art and design, or taking on DIY projects like restoring old furniture. I like the challenge of taking something familiar and presenting it in a new way, and I want my work to feel direct, energetic, and honest.

What sets me apart is my willingness to mix things up and experiment with different mediums. The name xaviergray comes from my kids’ middle names, which keeps things personal and reminds me why I create. I’m proud of the range and versatility in my work, and I want people to know I’m always open to new ideas, collaborations, and projects that have meaning.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

A big part of what drives my creative journey is my kids. My artist name, xaviergray, is actually a tribute to them—those are their middle names. I wanted to carry a piece of them with me in everything I make. Sharing art and music with them, and just creating together, is something I really value. They remind me why I keep pushing myself creatively.

My goal is to show my kids, through my own work, that it’s worth chasing your dreams and not giving up on what you love. I hope they see that dedication and curiosity can open up all kinds of possibilities. Ultimately, I want my journey to be something they’re proud of, and maybe even inspired by as they find their own paths.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One time that really tested my resilience was when Reis Nichols and Tag Heuer commissioned me to paint eight custom watch boxes for a special Indy 500 event. I’d never done anything like that before, and on top of it, I had just two days to finish all of them while still working my full-time job. It was pretty intense—lots of trial and error, mistakes, and figuring things out as I went. I basically pulled two all-nighters to get it done. Seeing the finished boxes signed by Alexander Rossi, the 2016 Indy 500 winner, made all that hard work worth it. That experience showed me I’m capable of pushing through when the pressure’s on and learning fast when I have to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://xaviergray.art
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xaviergray.art