I was born and raised on a cattle ranch in South Africa. I Went to college in Pretoria and studied Chemistry, Physical Metallurgy and Plastics Technology. Photography has been an incredible journey for me, I got my first camera on my 21st birthday. Shortly after that I spent a year working for a Professional Photographer in Pietermaritzburg. Francie and I got married the same year and in 1985 we took off on an extended honeymoon spending 6 months hitch hiking through Europe before flying to the States where we bought a 73 VW Beetle and traveled for another six months through 41 States covering 36000 miles. I carried 32 pounds of camera gear and took thousands of photos in both 35mm and 4x5 inch which I developed in converted bathrooms along the way. We returned to the family ranch where we bred Bonsmara cattle and expanded the family business. In 1999 our ranch was expropriated by the Government and we moved to the UK were we started a chain of fast food stores selling traditional savory pies. Since then we have traveled and photographed at every opportunity from our base in the UK. We are now based Gunnison Colorado where we have established Mesa RV Resort, a Photographic Gallery and a venue to conduct Photographic Workshops. We opened the doors to our new Gallery on May 28th. It is situated on the east side of the RV and Boat Storage Yard and is open Monday through Saturday 10-12 and 2-5. Look out for the bus!! We are planning a busy workshop schedule for the summer and hope to extend it through the fall.

I consider myself fortunate to have spent my entire life in Gunnison, Colorado. I grew up in this beautiful valley surrounded by horses and other assorted animals. I received my first horse at age five, a little Shetland pony named Merry Legs, the first of many wonderful horse companions.

I began drawing in my early childhood with animals being my primary subject matter. I studied art throughout high school and continued my art education at Western State College where I graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree. While attending Western, I was able to study with talented art professors and other aspiring artists.

My primary subject matter has always been the horse. I spend my spare time on the back of a horse learning the finer points of horsemanship. Lessons generally taught by the horse, if I listen close enough. While I'm out riding some folks say "I'm out playing!" I say "I'm out doing subject research!" The real inspiration for my artwork is in the fine detail. Attempting to capture the rippling muscles of a horse galloping across a field, the fuzzy whiskers on a colt's muzzle, or the intricate stitching on a finely crafted bridle is my challenge. My favorite quote is from Pablo Picasso who said "If you want to draw you must shut your eyes and sing."

My artwork can be seen at:
Our Place Gallery
126 North Main
Gunnison Co. 81230
970-641-4641

Gordon at 6'3" standing next to one of his carvings

Gordon and Anne Possien of Rocky Mountain Crafts have been earning their livings as artists since 1979. Gordon is a woodcarver and Anne is a pencil artist. Each of Gordon's wood carvings is an original creation. An endless imagination is his main ingredient for his talent of working with wood. He has accepted numerous commissions for both private and public collections throughout the United States and Europe. Gordon enjoys working with each individual client, creating distinctively unique custom designed works of art.