About Tzaddi Gordon

Hey there.

I'm so glad you're here.

First things first: Tzaddi is pronounced "zawdee", and my pronouns are she/her.

My first name Tzaddi has several meanings, and there's one I love most...

Tzaddi: fish hook, as in capturing or hooking of the fertility of the subconscious mind.

This metaphor seems perfectly apt, because one of the things I do best is deep listening and observation.

I use my creativity as a force for good in the world. You, too?

Since you're here, I'm betting that you aim to be the change you want to see in the world. You want to make a difference and you want your work to matter. Me, too.

I work most of my magic in my home studio — a little creative oasis on the rural west coast of Canada.

My studio is my haven for both work and play. Along with my standing desk for computer work, I have ample space to dabble in various kinds of visual art.

Before arriving here, I:

Served as leader of a web design & production team at a large telco. In that role I also started a usability research program to gain valuable insight through interviews with our customers.
Started my own design studio in 2007.
Learned how to give and receive constructive critique and art direction; that my creative desires or ego is not as important as what's best for the project.
Coded more websites than I can count, including as part of the development team for the big telco. I built my first WordPress site around 2006(!) and have crafted many unique websites for clients.
Spent thousands of hours drawing... with my beloved Prismacolor pencil crayons as a kid, in my 4 years at Emily Carr (one of Canada's best fine arts schools), and in a regular practice with a local life drawing group. A few years ago I began digital drawing and painting on my iPad Pro.

Photo of Tzaddi as a kid — Me, my crayons and my sisters circa 1978

I believe...

... the world needs helpers and change agents now more than ever. I aim to be one of them and collaborate with them

... observation and empathy are two of my best tools

... BLACK LIVES MATTER

... that we should support everyone's full expression of themselves, including their gender and sexuality.

... love is love

... in listening to marginalized folks when they share their lived experience, and in boosting their voices/work

... that art saves lives

... in the power of forest walks and napping and creative play

In my art...

I am devoted to a daily practice of making for the sake of making.

This commitment to at least a few minutes of daily play leads me to expand my creative edges and push through resistance into flow.

It serves my skills, my soul, and my understanding of the creative process. It keeps me in productive dialogue with my perfectionism and reluctance to be seen.

While exploring the tension of imperfections caused by materials or the maker’s hand, I often return to themes of nature, portraiture, pattern, and narrative.

In my design...

When I hold space for my client's deepest wishes for their business, and develop the clarity and vision needed to bring those wishes into the world, then I am being of my highest service. I am doing my best work, so that you can do yours.

Both my art and my design are connections to the heart, in support of all of us being of our highest service.

Thank you for being here. I'm honoured to connect with you!

Tzaddi