Third Eye Arts

Interview with Nadine Gordon Taylor

1. Please tell us something about your background and your art journey so far.

Art was my earliest language – a pure way to translate thoughts and communicate emotions. This intuitive connection to making art was formalized at the Art Students League of New York, where I spent my teenage years studying anatomy, figure drawing, and painting. After earning my B.A. in printmaking at Hunter College and my MFA in painting from Long Island University, I expanded my practice with a doctorate in art education from Columbia University. I maintain a gallery, Third Eye Arts, in Peekskill, N.Y. I taught publicly and privately for over thirty years and have lectured and given workshops across the country. My drawings, prints, and paintings have been exhibited and are in collections around the world.

2. Can you tell us more about the theme in your art and your inspiration?

When I was in my forties, I stumbled upon a book called Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche, by Robert Johnson. Johnson was a student of Carl Jung and used a Jungian approach to transformative self-acceptance. Psychology, specifically analytical psychology, interested me. The author challenged the reader to creatively find a way to integrate their dark side – today we would call it shadow work. He believed it was the only way to heal and, in essence, love yourself. I accepted Johnson’s challenge and partnered with my dark side. This psychological dance birthed a series entitled Self-Portrait Minus Self. I literally found a way of integrating the dark side into my life; I invited my shadow to be center stage. It accepted my invitation, and I found myself in an aesthetic conversation between my shadow and the objects on which it fell. My preferred technique was an intricate combination of observational and photographic references. Each piece took days, weeks, or months to make. The smaller pieces were usually made from hundreds of blended colored pencils. As the size expanded, so did my materials: inks, oil pastels, oils, and acrylics. Seven years ago, I had no idea that I would be creating oracle decks based on the heart and nature. My main concern was exhibiting in galleries and museums and teaching; it never dawned on me that there was another direction I would take. The work I was doing in my small studio space on the third floor in Peekskill slowly shifted after I had undergone a past life hypnosis session. I was directed by the universe to create art not just for art’s sake but for humanity’s sake. With trust and hard work, I finally realized that I was able to create customized painting commissions that focused on the animal kingdom and its symbolic connection to humans. The symbols that appeared in my paintings were more than just stories; they activated the opening of an inner portal, and synchronicities abounded. They seemed to harness powerful frequencies originating from ancient wisdom on the other side. In essence, I became a translator of these ancient voices bubbling up from deep within the human unconscious, allowing access to hidden truths, spiritual epiphanies, and unconditional love.

Temporal Echo

3. Is the artist’s life lonely? Please share your thoughts and experiences.

When I was young, I spent much of my time alone, but I was never lonely. I had an extremely vivid imagination that kept me company. It filled the silence with conversations. Some would be from artists whose work called to me – I would invite them into my solitary world. Michelangelo became a gentle grandfatherly figure – I would visualize myself sitting on his lap as we shared deep discussions about life and art. I would also lose myself for hours in the library books, poring over the works of the great masters. In my mind, they weren’t distant figures in a book but personal teachers guiding my eye and my hand. Like so many other “creatives,” when I draw or paint, I become so absorbed that I lose all track of time, and it feels like I slip into what seems like a timeless portal. While that solitude feels whole and perfect, I do need to return back to the “real” world. To balance this isolation, I actively seek human connection. In addition to my friends and family, I discovered that teaching provides an anchor to the everyday world, ensuring that I am never truly alone.

4. What practical advice can you give to fellow artists?

It is so important that you grow and evolve through personal interests. Do not limit your talents because of your circumstances. Set aside mental restrictions. Envision a world where time is infinite, resources are endless, and money is no longer a concern. In this state of complete freedom, what is the first thing you would do? Meet your superpower, better known as your passion (and you can have more than one). The more you move in the directions of your dreams (fueled by your passion) – the closer your dreams become. Consider yourself a “hyphenated being.” For example, I am a visual artist-writer-teacher-philosopher-symbologist-historian, etc. What are your superpowers? Find your passions and you find your “artvoice.” Remember, art is an extension of your heart and soul. Do not always do what you think is expected of you; listen to the quiet voice of your mind, urging you to gently break the boring rules.

Tickling The Mind

5. Could you share any difficulties and hardships you had to face in life and how or if you managed/overcame them?

After years of creating commissions and producing giclée prints from them, something very interesting happened. Little by little, people would come into my gallery and ask me if I ever thought of making tarot or oracle cards – and if not, I should. I knew nothing about the process and didn’t give it much thought. But my higher self was extremely persistent. People continued to come in, recommending the same thing over and over again. Eventually, I got the hint and understood that I was being directed. I looked into it and started the process. By that time, I had created a huge series and realized that oracle cards were more in line with my art mission. Finding a printer who included boxes, cards, and the book was challenging. After an exhaustive search, talking with people, collecting data, and interviewing potential companies, I made a decision to use a printer in Florida. Unfortunately, it turned out differently than I thought. After the book had been professionally edited and the cards created with the appropriate template, the corrected file was sent off to the printer. For some reason, he sent it right back and asked us to do the check again. Since we had just read the 100 pages and checked everything, we sent it back again, saying it was ready to go. It never dawned on me or the people helping me that he would send back a different file. Unknowingly, it was the first, unedited file we sent him. Unfortunately, the printer used that one for the final printing. I ended up with five hundred decks that I could not sell. The books had to be thrown away, but the cards were correct, and I used them later as business cards. FYI – the printer is always right – and you are responsible. I had to pay another $8,000 to print it correctly. The story has a happy ending. The Heart Path Oracle Cards sold out, and a publisher, Inner Traditions Bear and Company, not only published them but three more after that. The moral of the story is never to give up. Listen to the instincts that inspire you. It is the roadmap to your future, and only through perseverance will you reach the destination.

6. What are you working on at the moment, and are there any upcoming events you would like to talk about?

I am excited to announce that I have illustrated a new oracle deck entitled Plant Spirits Oracle, written by Laura Aversano. It was just released in November 2025 by Bear and Company. The cards help you call upon and connect with the plant spirits of 30 healing herbs and flowers. My new series is entitled Meditations on a Mourning Dove: Whispers of the Heart. This body of work explores the intersection of art and intention through a series of what I call “visual sigils.” Drawing on the ancient practice of creating symbols to manifest a desired outcome, these black-and-white images are created to bypass conscious thought and activate the subconscious mind. I deliberately used a monochrome palette. First, it compels the viewer toward a more focused, meditative state by stripping away the inherent “noise” of color. Secondly, this singular focus on light, shadow, and shape encourages a deeper engagement with the subject matter, opening a more direct channel to the core message of each sigil and fostering a profound connection with unseen dimensions. The viewer is not simply observing art; they are participating in a meditative experience designed to unlock their inner potential. The images in this article are examples of this series. These images illustrate universal themes and serve as “visual sigils.” A sigil traditionally represents a unique, personal symbol to help bring about a desired intention or outcome. It activates that desire by influencing the subconscious mind. The black and white images are designed to enhance meditative experiences. By removing color, these images compel a deeper engagement with the subject, drawing their focus to the fundamental elements. The use of monochrome effectively removes unnecessary visual noise, allowing for a more productive observation of the sigils’ message and encouraging a deeper connection with other dimensions.

Website : www.thethirdeyestudio.com

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