My Story

Hello, I'm Gorden, and I'm thrilled to share my passion for
painting with you. My journey began in 1939 in a quaint farming community in
central Kentucky. My early art experiences consisted of self-taught color
pencil drawings during my grade school years, as my community offered little in
formal art education.

My career path initially led me to the medical world. After
pursuing a medical degree, I moved to Southern California for an internship. It
was there, during the mid-60s, that I rekindled my love for art. A chance visit
to a small art gallery by my wife introduced me to William Yelland, an
inspiring artist who offered me guidance. Over six months, every Wednesday
night for 3 hours, if I was not on call at the hospital, I immersed myself in
learning under his mentorship. This creative chapter was brief but pivotal, as
I sold a painting early on for $250, which encouraged me to look at art with
fresh eyes.

However, life navigated me towards serving in the Navy as a flight
surgeon on an aircraft carrier during the Vietnam conflict. After completing my
own ENT residency training and another year of training in Southern California
in 1975, I then returned to Kentucky as chief of the ENT service at the U of
Louisville where I established a residency training program in Ear, Nose, and
Throat surgery. Art took a backseat as I dedicated myself to my medical career
and family. Yet, I found a form of artistic fulfillment through the intricate ear
surgeries that required a blend of skill and creativity, much like painting.

From 1966 through the first three or four years in
Louisville, I would occasionally create paintings, including commissioned
landscapes and portraits. However, during that entire span of 10 to 15 years, I
painted no more than 20 pieces. Balancing my growing medical career, these few
yet significant artistic endeavors kept my love for painting alive despite the
limited time.

In the hustle of life, painting paused for nearly two
decades. In 2020, upon retiring from medicine, my passion was reignited during
a photography trip to Yellowstone. The beauty captured through my lens inspired
me to pick up a brush once again. Today, the family room in my home is my
studio, and I have created over 70 paintings—ranging from landscapes and
portraits to abstract pieces. I've had the privilege of displaying my work in a
local gallery and am excited for a private show in the coming year.

My artistic journey has been deeply rewarding, and I'm eager
to share this joy with others. Whether you're retired or simply seeking a
creative outlet, my coaching focuses on teaching you the art of painting
beautiful landscapes. The skills we'll explore are transferrable to various
painting subjects and styles, fueling your creative expression.