b.1965
Horse-sculptor Lisa Gordon graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sculpture and photography from California State University in San Bernardino. A debilitating illness, which led to physical paralysis, delayed her entry to graduate school though after a miraculous recovery, credited to her stubborn nature, Gordon began graduate studies at California State University at Fullerton.
It was during her graduate studies when Gordon’s childhood interest in horses and her love of sculpture combined. Gordon had always been fascinated with horses and at the age of twelve she had her own. She spent a large part of her childhood riding and working in stables. She was devastated when the stables around her home were slowly sold to developers and the horses were sent away.
Gordon uses the horses as a “central metaphor for the human experience, often combining meaning and fun in the same piece.” In the July 2002 edition of Southwest Art Magazine Gordon states, “People really do identify with the horse– it’s not like the zebra or giraffe. It’s really the perfect medium for getting my ideas out. The horse is the bridge between me, the art, and the viewer.”
Gordon’s sculpture, “Career Moves” is on permanent display in the city of Loveland, Colorado where she has exhibited annually at the “Sculpture in the Park” exhibition.
Source: Southwest Art Magazine, July 2002
Artists Statement: “The emotional bond between the horse and myself goes beyond simple childhood fascination. Horses have always been an intricate part of my life. I drew and mimicked them as a child; I owned and trained them as a teen; studied and revered them in college. Now as an artist it is natural that I sculpt the horse’s image. The horse is the figure through which I actualize my ideas. It becomes a tangible bridge between the viewer and me. My goal is to render the horse with empathy and respect without getting bogged down in realities. I strive to breath new life into an often cliche historical subject. By using tension and whimsy and by juxtaposing figure and form my sculptures are carving out a space of their own int he world of quine sculpture.”
Lisa Gordon Sculpture, Bronze 5.5 X 7.5 X 5 (Interest categories: Bronze, Horse, Resting, Sculpture, Sculptures and Accent Pieces, Fine Art, Art Gallery, Lisa Gordon Artist)
1. Clay – Chavant Le Beau Touche. Get the regular clay, not HM (high melt).
2. Clay warming devices, a metal bucket with a clamp on heat lamp or 100 W bulb works great.
3. Tie wire.
4. Aluminum foil.
5. Scissors.
6. Favorite sculpture tools.
7. Plank of wood (pine) approximately 8″ x 8″ x 2″.
Bring as many planks as you wish…the wood is used as the base for your sculpture.
8. Plumber’s pipe, 1/2″ threaded: Bring several different lengths…up to 10″…not PVC pipe.
Plumber’s pipe T joint.
Plumber’s pipe couplers.
Plumber’s pipe flange.
9. Screws and screwdriver to secure the flange to wood…this may be done before you arrive. (Place flange in the center of plank)
10. Wire cutters
11. Needle nose pliers
12. Rubber mallet.
13. Spatula
14. Measuring devices such as rulers, measuring tape, dividers, and calipers.
15. Because we concentrate on BIRDS IN FLIGHT, live models in the classroom are more distracting than useful. I will demonstrate the technique of constructing a cantilevered bird armature that can be used for many different bird species and will show you how to assemble shapes to capture the “gist” of the specific bird.
16. Bird field guides such as Peterson, Stokes, Golden, or Sibley. Sibley’s Guide to Birds (not Sibley’s Guide to Bird Life and Behavior) is best if bringing only one field guide. This popular book can usually be purchased at any bookstore.
17. Bring your laptop to the class if possible.
18. Bring your sketchbook.
1 Lake Circle Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906
broadmoorgalleries.com
