Alexander Gray , Percy 's father , was born in England and immigrated in 1867 with his Australian-born wife to San Francisco , where he became a successful insurance broker . As the byproduct of a childhood illness , Percy realized he had talents in art . From 1886 to 1888 he attended the California School of Design and studied under Emil Carlsen , Virgil Williams , Thomas Hill , and Oscar Kunath . His earliest documented exhibition was at the 1888 Mechanics ’ Institute Fair where he displayed '' View of the Golden Gate '' . From there he went on to become an assistant to a stockbroker and a quick-sketch illustrator for the '' San Francisco Morning Call '' before obtaining a job with the '' New York Journal '' . In New York he studied at the Art Students League . He was dispatched from New York to cover the 1906 San Francisco earthquake , but decided to remain in his native city where he would then take up his painting career
1906 San Francisco earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
Percy Gray