Jerry Dame was born in Amarillo, Texas in 1944. Grew up in Southern California. Has had an interest in art as long as he can remember. Jerry began painting in his teens. His early work focused on oil paintings of the ocean, surfers and antique cars as well as watercolor landscapes.

Jerry desired to make his living as an artist. His talent carried him into an unusual line of work that allowed him to support his family. He became well known nationally for his precision auto pin striping - at first on automobiles and motorcycles - and then expanding to everything from horse-drawn carriages, fire engines, custom guitars, and even women's purses! His success in pin striping gave him the opportunity to experiment with air-brushing artwork on custom automobiles. He helped this art form gain popularity in the 1970's.

Because his family shared his enjoyment of the outdoors, camping, fishing and observing the beauty of God's earth, it was a natural choice to move north to rural Oregon. Jerry's first love of painting continued as he was again led into another unusual line of work - working with his two sons, Dennis and Jerry Michael Dame, painting beautiful original air-brush murals of African animals and landscapes on the Monaco Safari Coach RV's.

Jerry has been influenced by many artists over the years, but includes David Leffel and Richard Schmid as favorites because of their eagerness to share their knowledge.  Painting with understanding has been an important part of Jerry's artistic development.  And he stressed this approach in his workshops. He also enjoys innovative artists such as the Walt Disney Studio animators and the legendary Von Dutch. He paints a wide range of subjects, including landscapes, seascapes, all types of animals and wildlife, and portraits.

Jerry received an Honorable Mention award at the 2007 2nd Annual National Juried Competition of the Emerald Art Center in Springfield, Oregon.
A Best in Show at the 2006 Mayor's Art Show in Springfield, Oregon.
Honor Mention at the 2006 1st Annual National Juried Competition of the Emerald Art Center in Springfield, Oregon.
Director's Choice and People's Choice at the 2005 Wallowa Valley Festival of Art in Joseph, Oregon.
Two 1st place awards at the 2003 Mayor's Art Show in Springfield, Oregon.