Heather Gordy – a child traveler among adults having lived in Georgia, Florida, and Texas – has Native American roots and clear-cut insight into the circle of life. Her ability is clear. She takes moments of reality and pierces them with what most would avoid – simple here and now awareness. 

Birds and skulls are her latest affections and I’m tenderly inclined to feel connected with her mindfulness. Plus, she’s a Virgo…and I’m one to dote on my lady Virgo friends (what can I say…it’s natural). It was definitely a pleasure to have her – cozy  – at my studio. I look forward to checking out a few local bars and pubs – with her - and putting forth collaborative efforts in the near future.

Artiste Illumination: Heather Gordy

What’s the earliest memory of awareness towards your inclination to art?
I was probably around three years old. We lived in Georgia at the time…next door to my grandparents and we were there for a short time between the ages of two and four. I remember the little wooden table I had as a kid and I didn’t have it very long. I was always drawing on that table. I didn’t draw on items I wasn’t supposed to…like walls or anything. My mom would always say “You’re going to be an artist because you only draw on paper.”

Do you have a passion for any other art?
I definitely have a passion for all things art. I love music, poetry, writing, films. I played piano briefly when I was young. I begged for a keyboard around nine or ten. I got all the stickers that you put on the keys…A, B, C, and D. When I’d go and spend time with my grandparents for the summer, my grandfather would teach me how to play the piano. I decided, later, I would try playing the guitar and I sucked at playing chords then decided to try bass. I enjoy bass and I still have it.

You mentioned writing as a passion, too, can you tell me a little more about that?
I have a few stories that I’d like to illustrate as children’s books. I’m more on a child’s level when it comes to short stories – educational, good morale – which are totally opposite of my art. The stories are designed to be a series…I have the characters and all.  

 Do you have formal training in art?
I went to the Art Institute for 3D Animation from 2002-2004. I really wanted to do 2D and enjoyed that part of training – 3D just wasn’t my thing. We learned the basics such as life drawing, color theory and perspective. Other than that, I’ve learned much more from other artists. Most of the artists I come in contact with are happy to share a technique here and there.

Would you like to name some of those artists?
Vincent Fink - for sure – we went to school together. We also worked together. He’s an amazing guy. Also, Gian Palacios-Świątkowski. Honestly, right now those two are my biggest influences for various reasons. Vincent and I work on art together. When Vincent steps up his game it pushes me to do better. Gian is an incredible painter – he does oils and it’s mostly figurative. He’s one of those artists that makes you sick….you look at his work…and I’m like “Ahhhh” and it makes me want to put my brushes down. We’ve all gotten together and worked on art together. It’s fantastic and they are very supportive and willing to teach art.

There is one other artist I can think of…and he’s based out of Norway. It’s been all online communication. His name is Gary Reef. His work is amazing. He teaches technique and that has been extremely beneficial.

Have you worked on any long term projects?
I worked on a project with an artist named Shana R. Goetsch. The project is called Art that Circles the Earth. I started a Mandala, mailed it, and we mailed it back and forth to each other until it was finished. Her work is totally different from mine but I feel because of that…the process is very inspiring. She is working with a bunch of other artists – even overseas.

Is there a particular individual(s) that influence(s) you? What is it that captured your attention about their work?
There are several artists – new and old – that I love. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio is probably one of my biggest influences. He was pure creative genius. In a time where religious art was at its best, he wasn’t afraid to show the darker side – and he executed it so well. You won’t find smiling butter-ball cherubs in his work. Instead you’ll see David holding the head of Goliath. I remember seeing that painting…it was so super realistic yet dark. His portrait is the head of Goliath. It’s hard to explain what I felt. If you look at all of his work, you see Angels sticking fingers in wounds…and it’s not at all like what the art of that time…so perfect…and pretty. His art was not for ‘The Church’. I want to paint that good…to put so much feeling into my work…and I haven’t gotten there yet.

What is stopping you from putting feeling into your artwork?
Putting myself out there – that’s the hardest part. I’ve done a few things here and there that are extremely emotional. There was one piece that was meant for the Perfect 10 Show and it never made it. I worked on it at Vincent’s place…I opened my box of inks and water soluble crayons…and convinced myself…”I am just going to do it.” You look at it and just know…it’s full out despair.  I just did it. I put my emotion out there and it freaked me out.

Let’s talk about the creative process on this piece of art…

To learn more about Heather or to purchase her artwork visit her website at www.hgordy.com or read her blog: Theorize Color.