Biography:

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Cassandra Gordon-Harris was born in New Orleans and at the age of nine moved to Guayaquil, Ecuador with her family. Upon graduation from high school in Guayaquil, Cassandra began her studies of art and languages in preparatory school in Fribourg, Switzerland. She then entered the University of Fribourg, obtaining a B.A. in art. Returning to the U.S. in 1964 she applied her art training in New York City, Galveston, New Orleans and Houston. During this ten-year period she worked in the field of fashion and interior design all the while pursuing her painting.

Cassandra then returned to Ecuador, establishing a residency of the Galapagos Island where she was general manager of a yacht charter. Continuing her painting, it was here that she developed a definite Spanish flavor to her work and established a reputation for both fine pen & ink and oil on canvas.

She returned to U.S. in 1976, was married the following year and began to pursue her career as a serious painter. In 1980 she moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where her work took on shape and direction further refining the bold-colored Spanish influences with southwestern landscapes. After several successful shows in Santa Fe (including participation in a critically acclaimed mural for the State of New Mexico), and continuing successes in South American Galleries, Cassandra became a member of the Santa Fe Society of Artist and later served on its board.

In 1983, she and her husband purchased a 100-year-old adobe in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, where Cassandra established her permanent studio. Besides regular exhibitions, Cassandra worked as a painting tutor for exceptional talented young people, many of her students won both local and national award for their work.

From 1993-1996 family illness and legal affairs kept Cassandra busy in other directions. When things quieted down, she realized it was time to go back to a beach. Selling their house in New Mexico Cassandra re-located her permanent studio in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she also teaches at the Arts Center & has private classes.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

Works are primarily executed in oils. The completed canvases are representational bordering on abstract, with an occasional tendency to go surrealistic. Subject matter is women although landscapes do occasionally get painted. Cassandra's multi-cultural background is evident, from the Spanish influence of color and general creation of deep emotional feelings her painting communicates.

Cassandra’s work can be seen at Confident Gallery in St.and The Arts Center both in downtown St. Petersburg, By appointment only in her studio.