Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Scott Gaunce
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I was surrounded by creativity—my mother, a graphic designer and jewelry maker, nurtured my artistic side, while my father, a brilliant engineer, instilled a sense of curiosity and precision. From an early age, I was encouraged to explore both art and athletics, which led me to an unexpected passion—hockey. Yes, hockey in New Mexico! I played as a goalie and, by the time I was 16, was scouted by the Boston Junior Bruins and had a few college opportunities.
Ultimately, I chose to follow my love for art, attending the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, where I earned my BFA in painting. After graduation, I moved across several states, eventually landing in Los Angeles, where I met the love of my life. Years later, a career opportunity brought us to St. Louis, Missouri, where we’ve since built our home.
Today, I am a fine artist represented by Duane Reed Gallery in the Central West End of St. Louis. Alongside my art-making, I am also a professional Photoshop image creator for Bruton Stroube Studios, a commercial photography studio and motion production house. My journey has been one of constant evolution.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The most challenging event in my life was losing my father at a young age and later learning the full truth about his death. I was six when he passed from liposarcoma, a rare form of cancer, a result of the U.S. military knowingly exposing him and his team to poisonous levels of radiation while working on rocket propulsion during the space race era. His death set me on a path of questioning—life, spiritual existence, and how our biological bodies process reality. That early loss became a catalyst for my curiosity and ultimately a driving force in my art.
Living with dyslexia has also shaped my journey. Navigating public school in New Mexico in the ’80s and ’90s was difficult—it often felt like trying to fit into a system that didn’t understand how my mind worked. My brain is wired differently; I was making visual connections that would go on to define the way I communicate with the world.
Despite these challenges, I’ve been fortunate to have people who offered love and guidance when I needed it most. My sister and I were raised by a single mother. Through her guidance, she taught me resilience and to listen to my instincts, which have helped me navigate life’s ups and downs. These life stepping stones have given me a distinct lens through which I view the world and my art-making practice.
I have an exhibition now on view at the Duane Reed Gallery, which closes March 29, 2025.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Artist Statement 2025
My work is inspired by the natural world, my New Mexican roots, and the study of the unified field of consciousness. I explore patterns that shape existence, from microscopic cells and subatomic particles to the vastness of solar systems. Drawing on concepts from quantum physics, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology, I investigate how we, as living beings, process and interpret reality.
Through abstract paintings, I use color to evoke emotion, creating gradients and simple geometries—lines, circles, and forms—that serve as metaphors for both scientific and spiritual systems. These elements reflect the processes within our bodies that enable us to perceive and connect with the world.
I work on raw wood, where the grain emerges as I apply color, revealing the history of what was once a living tree. I engage themes of regeneration and the enduring presence of the natural world.
The vibrant landscapes of the Southwest, rich in cultural and spiritual significance, ground my exploration of universal systems. Portals in my work symbolize voids that invite contemplation and meditation, representing the unknown and the connections between life and consciousness.
At its core, my work asks: What does it feel like to be human in an interconnected universe?
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Favorite Books:
Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness – Peter Godfrey-Smith
Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures – Merlin Sheldrake
The Creative Act: A Way of Being – Rick Rubin
The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain – Brock L. Eide M.D. M.A. and Fernette F. Eide M.D.
The Goldfinch – Donna Tartt
Duma Key – Stephen King
Apps:
Waking Up – A meditation and philosophy app that’s been a great tool for reflection and generating focus.
Substack – Feels like an elevated version of Instagram, where long-form ideas thrive.
A mix of music and drawing apps—essential for getting into a creative flow.
Podcasts:
Think Again – A Big Think podcast that challenges perspectives and sparks interesting conversations.
The Monday Morning Podcast – Bill Burr’s unfiltered take on life, comedy, and everything in between. To get my lol on.
Pricing:
- Contact Duane Reed Gallery
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jordanscottgaunce.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanscottgaunce/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/uR1bedR46-o
- Other: https://www.duanereedgallery.com/
Image Credits
Stefanie Kirkland, Kate Blakeman
