21 Under 31 | Kristy Gordon

ART EDUCATION: I studied animation and took life-drawing classes at
lgonquin College in Ottawa. Then I studied with Juan Martinez, Yuqi Wang, and Jeremy Lipking.
STYLE: I work in a realist technique rooted in classicism, but I deal with contemporary themes.
MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT THE WAY YOU WORK: I am really interested in the expressive qualities of the brush stroke. I like to have some areas tight and highly rendered and then contrast that with areas of loose brush strokes. Also, I look at models to see what I relate to in them, so my paintings are an expression of them as well as me.
SECOND-CHOICE CAREER: I realized recently I couldn’t live without being a painter, so there is no second choice.
BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Don’t draw back from anything you feel is important.
CREATIVE SPARK: Exploring the expressive qualities of paint, and also my interest in people and their inner emotions.
PRICE RANGE: $1,000 to $8,000.
GALLERIES: Loch Gallery, Toronto, Canada; Artguise, Ottawa, Canada; www.kristygordon.com.

Featured in our annual “21 Under 31” article in September 2009