Artist Statement

This collection of paintings are the original gouache illustrations by Melissa Gordon from the children's book, "Take a Walk in the Badlands of North Dakota" by Sherry Niesar. Both are long-time residents of North Dakota and nature lovers. 
Sherry is a wildlife scientist and lifelong educator. She enjoys translating the natural world into everyday language for all ages in her college classes or by visiting schools. This collaboration between neighbors was a dream of Sherry's and brought to life with depictions of the wonders of the North Dakota Badlands by Melissa. 
This book was created for children everywhere and copies of the book will be available for sale along with the exhibition. The author and the artist would be available for book signings at the gallery openings as well.​ 

Artist Bio

Melissa Gordon has been an artist all of her life, selling her first commissioned work at 12 years of age. She has won numerous awards for her realistic renderings around the state and has many works in private collections across the country.
Melissa has had a number of solo shows and participates in many regional group shows throughout the year. Recently, she has become known for large-scale work done around the Bismarck-Mandan area, including her mural of Sitting Bull in Alley
5.5 being featured on the cover of Parade Magazine.
 
After over 1O years as a graphic artist, designer and art director, she has worked independently for nearly twenty years as a freelance artist and illustrator. Her work, "Sitting Bull': has been featured on the cover of Parade Magazine and in Midwest Living as well. Other notable works include the Heritage Art Tunnel, Beauty at a Glance, Bismarck Veteran's Memorial Library, Department of Trust Lands, North Dakota League of Cities and mary Stark Elementary School.
 
A highlight of her career came when she was chosen by Governor Doug Burgum for the North Dakota Governor's Individual Acheivement Award for the Arts in February of 2021. She is also the 2016 Citation Award recipient at Bismarck Arts and Galleries and was won several Best of Show Awards with her work.
 
Melissa also enjoys teaching and has taught in a variety of settings to age groups ranging from kindergarten to senior citizens and has a special interest in at-risk groups. She belongs to many local arts organizations and was a founding member of Bismarck Downtown Artists Cooperative . She has served as a board member of Mandan Art Association, Dakota West Arts Council, BSC Alumni Board and was appointed to the North Dakota Council on the Arts in 2015 by Governor Jack Dalrymple.
 
In addition to her work as an artist, she is also an active member of the community and does volunteer work for many area organizations including Bismarck Arts and Galleries Association, Dakota West Arts Council, Special Olympics, Papa's Pumpkin Patch and Arts For All.
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Touring Schedule

MonDak Heritage Center
April 1- May 31
Bismarck State College
August 25- October 31
James Memorial Art Center
November 3- 28