About Reilly N. Gordon
Reilly N. Gordon grew up in Metro Detroit Michigan, specifically Rochester Hills and art and the act of being creative has been an important part for all of her life. Reilly grew up in a household that encouraged her love of art, her love of history and of education. Both of Reilly’s paternal great-grandparents were teachers, which later inspired her dream to become one herself. Reilly went to Alma College, Alma Michigan, for her BFA degree and minor in Education. Reilly chose Alma College because she connected to the schools Scottish roots as well as the fact that her Great Grandmother Norene (Reilly’s middle name) went there for her degree to become a teacher in the early 30s. Reilly graduated from Alma College May of 2017. Reilly graduated recently with a MFA from Radford University, Radford Virginia. Her interests as a child and into adulthood as well as growing up in a matriarchal family has greatly influenced her art. Other influences include, comic books, fantasy novels, and spiritual affiliations. Comic books and the stories of superheroes and kings and queens were told to her by her father. The first few years of her school life she spent her time at a private Catholic school, and later went to public school. Her religious upbringing has influenced her art, she wishes to share the love and inspiration that she has felt through her faith with others. Intending to inspire and encourage them to believe in themselves and see the beauty and power they naturally possess. Reilly’s long term aspirations are to become a college professor, visit Scotland, and own a pug.
My Hobbies include...Besides Art... I love,
Reading Historical Biographies on English and Scottish monarchs. Participateing in Civil War Renenactments Watching TV Dramas Swimming (in our Great Lakes) Sewing and creating costumes for Comic Conventions and other events Reneaissance Festivals Reading Comic books Writing Fiction and Poetry Volentering at church craft events with children |
About My Art
My work uses the female figure to convey universal positive qualities that people admire. I as a person and an artist am driven by a great sense of empathy, and need to dignify, honor and respect someone else. I use the figure in a way that is similar to a conversation, or human interaction. Viewers can empathize, insert themselves or even distance themselves too. The figure is relatable, readable, it’s not alien to the viewer and can coax them in to finding deeper meaning.
My work references natural and organic forms or a specific historical person or time period. My Historical Warrior Women Series is a specific narrative of admirable qualities documented in history. Most of my art visually combines my two passions; strong women and historical periods. At times my work is literal and sometimes more ambiguous, allowing the viewer to make up their own mind as to its meaning. I shift between these two avenues; a specific idea being conveyed, to communicating a mood, theme or personal quality.
My style of artwork can be described as figurative, surrealist and illustrative. I create dream-like themes in my work by adding or merging objects that would not normally interact, such as wild plants growing from someone’s chest or their hair turning into a landscape. I work with Watercolor as a medium because it gives my artwork an illustrative quality that helps convey the dream-like themes. Watercolor has a natural transparency, and that transparency creates an interesting connection to my conceptual ideals of paying homage to and shining a light on strong positive women. In my current work I am trying to connect them through stained glass motifs. This visual language glorifies and gives a spiritual element to my work, one that conveys and connects to stained glass windows in a church. My intention is to inspire and uplift viewers, putting positive and inspiring things out into the world.
My work references natural and organic forms or a specific historical person or time period. My Historical Warrior Women Series is a specific narrative of admirable qualities documented in history. Most of my art visually combines my two passions; strong women and historical periods. At times my work is literal and sometimes more ambiguous, allowing the viewer to make up their own mind as to its meaning. I shift between these two avenues; a specific idea being conveyed, to communicating a mood, theme or personal quality.
My style of artwork can be described as figurative, surrealist and illustrative. I create dream-like themes in my work by adding or merging objects that would not normally interact, such as wild plants growing from someone’s chest or their hair turning into a landscape. I work with Watercolor as a medium because it gives my artwork an illustrative quality that helps convey the dream-like themes. Watercolor has a natural transparency, and that transparency creates an interesting connection to my conceptual ideals of paying homage to and shining a light on strong positive women. In my current work I am trying to connect them through stained glass motifs. This visual language glorifies and gives a spiritual element to my work, one that conveys and connects to stained glass windows in a church. My intention is to inspire and uplift viewers, putting positive and inspiring things out into the world.