Ray Wollschleger worked in the visual arts field for many years in Cleveland Ohio. While working in San Francisco in the 1990’s he took a life drawing class. Upon returning to Northeast Ohio he decided to further his interest in art and spent several years studying at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Eventually he became a portrait painter using pastels as his medium.

In 2008, Ray relocated to Delaware Ohio and became a full-time artist. He opened a studio in 2010 and is presently an artist in residence at Gallery 22. Ray has shown his art in many local and regional venues including the National Midyear Exhibition at the Butler Institute of Art. In 2019 he was honored with the Allied Artists of American Award at their 83rd national show.