Meet Victoria Gordon | Artist, Idea Hoarder, and Full-Time Overthinker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Victoria Gordon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Victoria, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I was actually just talking to a friend about this the other day. I think a big reason people avoid taking risks is fear of failure or rejection—and honestly, that fear makes a lot of sense. Rejection can sting. It’s like showing up to a party and realizing no one remembers inviting you. And you brought chips, too. Tragic.
But for me, it’s not that rejection and failure don’t affect me—I just think I’ve built a bit of a tolerance. I grew up doing acting, modeling, and sports, so I was basically raised on a healthy diet of “thanks, but no thanks.” Whether it was not getting a callback, not making a team, or hearing “we went in a different direction,” I got used to hearing no a lot. And while it wasn’t always fun, it taught me that rejection isn’t the end—it’s feedback, redirection, or sometimes just plain bad timing.
Taking risks has become kind of essential to how I live and work. Every meaningful opportunity I’ve had came from stepping into something uncertain—whether it was putting myself out there creatively, trying something new in my career, or just saying yes when I didn’t feel 100% ready. Even when things didn’t pan out, I learned something valuable and came out stronger.
At this point, I figure if you’re not risking a little rejection, you’re probably not aiming high enough. And if you are risking rejection—hey, welcome to the club. We’ve got THE good snacks and questionable coping mechanisms, but mostly snacks.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art has always been a reflection of the internal—thoughts, emotions, daydreams, and those strange little in-between moments that most people overlook. I’m drawn to surreal, colorful, feminine imagery that creates a sense of escapism or alternate realities. I love the idea of making people pause and feel like they’ve stepped into a dream or a different dimension, even if just for a moment.

I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember. Before I could even write, I was creating books—drawing the pictures and having my dad write the words for me. My parents were always supportive; they even let me “work” under the dinner table while everyone else was eating. Creativity was just a natural part of my world from the beginning.

I also grew up swimming and skateboarding, which I think shaped my creative mindset in unexpected ways. I learned to swim as a baby and swam competitively from age five through high school, so water has become a huge influence in my work—visually and emotionally. And with skateboarding, I had to get over the fear of falling early on, which taught me a lot about risk and resilience.

Something especially important to me is creating art that empowers women. I want women to see themselves in my work—to feel understood, validated, and maybe even a little more powerful in their softness or their strangeness. There’s beauty in complexity, and I love exploring that through surreal and emotional imagery.

My path hasn’t been linear—I started in acting, modeling, and sports, and all of those experiences came with a lot of rejection. But they also taught me how to keep going. Art became the space where I could be fully myself. Over time, I’ve learned to trust my perspective, even if it’s different. Especially if it’s different.

What I want people to know is that it’s okay to take up space—even if you’re unsure, anxious, or still figuring things out. That’s where the real magic is. I’m still growing, still learning, and everything I create comes from a place of curiosity, honesty, and the hope that someone out there might see a part of themselves in what I make.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting, we’d go full “coming of age indie film” for the week.

First stop: Remain Real Fine Art to check out some amazing local art, followed by First Friday on Santa Fe if the timing’s right. It’s part art walk, part food truck crawl, part “try not to buy earrings you don’t need” challenge.

Naturally, we’d go thrifting to find outfits that say “I didn’t try at all” (but absolutely did). Then dancing at Tracks or Charlie’s—sweat, sparkles, and disco.

For a nature fix (and a temporary escape from overstimulation), we’d drive to Manitou Springs. They’ve got mountain views, weird energy, and a giant arcade, so spiritually cleansing and slightly unhinged. Perfect.

Food-wise, City O’ City is a must. Great vegan food, chill vibes, oat milk as far as the eye can see. Maybe a tea shop stop too—where we definitely wont spill any.

Obviously, we’re going to the Denver Botanic Gardens for whimsical fairy energy and flower selfies. Then getting a piercing or trying a pole/lyra class, because nothing bonds you like shared pain and questionable flexibility.

We’d definitely chill at Wash Park, probably become best friends with someone’s dog, and if it’s Sunday, Jazz in the Park at City Park is happening. Music, snacks, and mild existential reflection—can’t beat it.

And of course: art day. No trip is complete without making something colorful, messy, and maybe slightly cursed. That’s just tradition

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have so many people—and even a few books—I’d love to give credit and recognition to. First and foremost, my parents, Pam and Chris Gordon. They’ve shown me what hard work looks like, and they always gave me the freedom to explore my creativity. I was lucky to grow up being encouraged to try new things and immerse myself in different avenues, which shaped how I view the world today.

I especially love bouncing ideas off my mom—I’m pretty sure I inherited her passion for diving headfirst into things. She’s incredibly creative in her own right. And my dad has always helped me stay grounded, reminding me to balance my wild, fanciful ideas with a little practicality (emphasis on a little).

I also want to give a shoutout to my sister—she’s strong, outspoken, and has absolutely never been one to sugarcoat anything. She says exactly what she thinks, whether you’re ready to hear it or not, and honestly, I’ve learned a lot from that kind of bold honesty. We’ve definitely had a classic sibling dynamic growing up—I wanted to be just like her, which I’m sure was so fun for her as the older sibling (read: mildly infuriating). But as we’ve gotten older, we’ve come to really appreciate each other’s differences. These days, we just enjoy having fun, being silly, and making each other laugh—which honestly feels like a pretty special kind of relationship.

And of course, I owe so much to my close friends for supporting me and creating a space where I can truly be myself. As an anxious person, that kind of comfort and encouragement has meant everything. I’d love to specifically shout out Amy Mutha, Lily Graciela, and Gabi Barbagelata for being some of those amazing people.

When I look back, I realize that these people didn’t just support me—they helped shape how I see the world. Their influence is woven into how I think, create, and dream. I still think about the Dr. Seuss books my mom used to read to me when I was little—those colorful, whimsical worlds full of possibility. And I remember looking up at the stars with my dad and talking about the universe, realizing how big everything is. Somewhere between Seuss and the cosmos is probably where my imagination lives—and I’m endlessly grateful to the people who helped me protect that space

Website: https://www.victoriagordon.art/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriagordonart

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vgart

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