Gayle Ormon

I have always been attracted to light and how the different qualities of light elicit different emotional responses—from the harsh fluorescent lighting of an office to the magical diffused pink we occasionally experience during a sunset. My background is in oil painting. I was excited to explore metal work because I’m incorporating actual light in the piece, instead of working to create the illusion of light on a canvas. It embodies an element of truth for me.
I work in steel, which is a naturally reflective material in and of itself. When I take an angle-grinder to it, microscopic hills and valleys are sculpted into the surface and cause the light to reflect in such a way as to create the illusion of depth. This illusion also creates an interactive piece. The imagery changes depending on what type of light the piece is under and the viewer’s position in relation to the piece and that imagery continues to change as the viewer moves around the piece.
Having lived in Arizona for more than half my life has influenced my deep love of copper. Copper plated steel is the best of both worlds. It’s the workability of steel and the soft, understated reflectivity of copper. That strong, soft, understated qualify of copper lends itself well to rendering different aspects of the ranch style of life I’ve learned to love here in Texas. In some ways it’s like me; looking at Texan life through an Arizonan lens.
Light influences us on a conscience and subconscious level and I hope to harness it to create uplifting images and to connect with people on an emotional level. The world has enough darkness in it, I feel obliged to let in a little light.


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Emerging Artist

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WEATHERFORD, TX 76086