mary gordon, painter
images of work
MFA - Tyler School of Art
BFA - University of Texas at Austin
I am one of three founders of Heron Studios. My partners and I have remained productive and supportive to one another for 20 years here in Rockdale. After graduate school, I taught for several years in the independent school system in Philadelphia before moving to the Swarthmore area with my family. My two children attended The School in Rose Valley (a small progressive education school) where I became involved in progressive education through my job directing their after school programs. This dove-tailing of my studio art and the school was perfect in many ways. I can be found working here at Heron during the early part of my day, and at SRV during the late afternoon. It's a connection that is wordlessly perfect for me even now. Fostering children's growth is like a continuing psychological archeological dig. I understand more about myself through my interaction with them. Allowing the experiential process of creative play to guide my own learning, in my painting and sculpture, is very similar to the way creative play is the guide for children's learning. Play can be hard work, and it is always satisfying to learn about new things. Discovery through experimenting promotes creative passion.
Art Work
Most of my work is produced in small series. I am moved to make works that speak to one another in both sculpture and paintings. The thought process of different dimensions is entirely different, so I try to stay with one or the other. I prefer oil painting and working in wood when I sculpt.
Growing up in a studio watching a dedicated artist paint and experiment with mediums was a great gift. The encouragement of my husband David Ramirez,
and my two children, Martha and Xavier, have made possible my journey in art.
