Janice Mathews-Gordon
Oklahoma City, OK
"My art is my voice – may it reverberate with vibrancy and strength."
Available Artwork
About Me
Now a mixed-media painter, I owned an award-winning graphic design company for over twenty years before returning to my first love—painting. Since then, I’ve exhibited in solo and group shows, both juried and invitational. My work has appeared in universities, galleries, public businesses, and private collections. At heart, it’s about sharing the work and adding my voice to the conversation.
Over time, I’ve discovered that the more I create, the more intuitively I work. I build paintings in layers. They move and shift as they progress. Though I left my former life as a graphic designer behind, I still crave strong compositions, bold shapes, and charged color relationships.
I explore materials freely and love incorporating collage elements. I scribble with charcoal, pencils, and grown-up crayons, much like a graffiti artist. The marks add nuance and juicy detail. Often, symbolic elements begin to surface—birds, houses, fragments of the human form. With every layer, I pause and reassess until it feels complete. At that point, it's a wrap!
Examples of My Work
Fun Facts
• A huge OKC Thunder fan, one of my recent paintings now hangs in the home of Thunder General Manager Sam Presti and his wife, Shannon.
• In 1969, I marched with my grandmother in support of minority sanitation workers striking for better pay. My father, a lawyer, defended many who were arrested — without pay. That spirit of activism still runs through my veins.
• I was the first woman to graduate from a previously all-male college in Missouri—and (delightedly) finished top of my class.
• In college, I interviewed for a clerical job at a small realty company. Asked if I was “good at figures,” I said, “Yes! I love them.” Later, my mother explained he meant numbers, not the human body. I got the job! (And what a great learning experience.)
More About Me
Tell us about your art studio.
My studio is my sanctuary. It’s where I create—and where I reset when life gets messy. A writer needs a desk, a cook needs a kitchen, I need this space. A place where I leave the world at the door.
Which places, people, or moments inspire you the most?
Alone time inspires me: a long walk, a poem that moves me, even a quiet drive. I’m also energized by discovering an artist or musician I’ve never heard of. And then there’s sharing art exhibitions with someone I love. One memory I treasure: ten days in Florence with my husband, soaking in as much art, history, and food as we could handle. I’m forever grateful for that adventure.
When you’re not making art, what sparks your creativity or joy?
A great book. A compelling movie. A cozy dinner with thoughtful conversation. Or a weekend away with my four sisters—or longtime art friends. Moments that fill me, feed me, and spark ideas I carry back to the studio.