Philbrook Blooms with P.S. Gordon Exhibit

Wall Flowers: Patrick Gordon Paintings opens at Philbrook on Sept. 24 and runs through Jan. 3, 2026. It’s your opportunity to see hometown artist Pat Gordon’s work, but also to interact with the artist himself. If you want to find out more about the artist in person, go to Philbrook’s event, titled “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Pat Gordon* (*But Were Afraid To Ask)” on Sun., Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. After visiting with Mr. Gordon at the press event today, I have no doubt that his conversation with Philbrook curator Susan Green will be delightful.

Gordon’s paintings, done in watercolor, watercolor and gouache, or oil are finely detailed with layers of paint creating luminous still lives and glowing portraits. Watercolor, in particular, is an unforgiving medium, which takes not only careful planning and execution, but extreme patience to do such detailed work. When I commented that he must have a lot of patience, Gordon said, “I have the patience of Job.”

I asked about one of the watercolor portraits of a woman dressed in a sparkling dress and diamond jewelry. “I remember doing that portrait very well,” Gordon said. “It took me three weeks just to do one portion of her sleeve.” He said he would sit and paint for hours, maybe watch TV while he was painting. He didn’t try to make it sound glamorous or magical. Rather, Gordon is funny and self-deprecating. Painting is hours of work, and he works every day, seven days a week.

Gordon also shared that with that particular portrait, he painted the bottom third, but couldn’t reach the top, so he turned it over and painted the top half of the woman upside down.

If you want to see the artist in action, Philbrook has set up a studio in one room of the exhibit for Gordon to paint. He will be at the museum working on the painting a couple of days a week.

One room in the exhibition that was particularly impactful had large portraits of men in drag, their faces defiant and proud. They dare the viewer to look at them and to see them.

Go see the Patrick Gordon exhibit. There will be works you recognize from Mayfest posters or commissions that you may have seen hanging on the walls of various businesses or organizations. Gordon is a local treasure, and we are fortunate to be invited to see so much of his incredible talent on display.

Philbrook has several events scheduled during the Pat Gordon exhibit, including this weekend’s special events for members. For information and tickets, go to philbrook.org.