Gordon Vales, The Silhouette Man
by Marilyn Saeed,
Instructor at The Art Place
Gordon was 38 when I met him, 38 years ago. I was a high school student doing volunteer work at Lakeland Village, an institution for the mentally challenged, near Spokane, Washington. Gordon had been raised in the institution from the age of 4, when his parents dropped him off and never looked back.
The house-mother watching over Gordon would take him for walks and show him different leaves on the grounds; maple, oak and fern. Then she would ask him to tear the shape out of a simple piece of paper. This was the beginning of what would become a career for Gordon that would help support him his entire life. (See some of his silhouettes here.)
In the Spokane area, he has made quite a name for himself. He is known as “the silhouette man” and his talent has become an attraction at fairs, festivals and shopping malls.
At the age of 35, he was tested and found to have the equivalent of a second grade education. His artistic talents, however, demonstrate amazing observation skills, infinite attention to detail, and a strong sense of proportion. He doesn’t use scissors — just his fingernails. With a fertile imagination and photographic memory, his nimble fingers transform a simple piece of black poster paper into award-winning, lifelike silhouettes of animals, cowboys, and airplanes (Gordon’s favorites).
In 1981, a 28-minute film entitled “The Silhouettes of Gordon Vales” won three awards at the 11th Annual Film Festival in Los Angeles.
Gordon will be in Southern California for a week in October and The Art Place will host "An Evening with Gordon Vales" where he will be demonstrating his art. It is open to the public, for those who would like to meet him and perhaps purchase one of his works.
Seeing Gordon will greatly impact anyone’s life. He is a shy, soft-spoken man with a very sweet nature and embodies the child-like qualities of innocence and curiosity. He’s a true inspiration that no one soon forgets. —ms
An Evening with Gordon Vales
| Location: | The Art Place, Placentia, CA (click for address & map) |
| Date: | October 21, 2011 |
| Time: | 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM |
| Admission: | Free |
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Gordon's price for each silhouette is $10. He will be selling his works and accepting orders — cash or check only. Please call or email The Art Place, or stop by, for more information. |
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