Nyle Douglas Gordon is a portrait artist born in Independence. The Shawnee, Kan., resident will be the featured artist at the Third Fridays event today from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Courtyard at Primary Colors art gallery, 109 W. Lexington on the Independence Square. Gordon will be on-hand creating 30-minute oil portraits for $45 apiece.
1. Where do you take your inspiration?
I draw much of my inspiration from the late American painter Robert Henri who also had a very fast and expressive approach to portrait painting.
2. What kind of background do you have in painting?
In 1984 I earned a BFA in drawing and painting at CMSU in Warrensburg, Mo. Since that time, I have produced art for the corporate world, private landscape and done portrait commissions as well as exhibiting in private shows and galleries.
3. What are some of your proudest accomplishments as a painter?
The work that I am most proud of as a painter would have to be that of private commissioned portraits of children. The most recent of which is “Kimberly,” featured on the cover page of my Web site: www.ndgordon.com.
4. What kind of quality are you capable in a 30-minute portrait?
A 30-minute portrait is done from life and usually limited to a head and shoulders pose. The result is more spontaneous and impressionistic than a formal approach that could take more than a week to produce working in the studio from photos.
5. How would you describe your approach to making portraits?
My approach to portrait painting is multi-faceted. I try to capture the person’s likeness and personality while keeping in mind that the painting should also be colorful and decorative.
