By Lisa Cates

	Conni Gordon, center, surrounded by students and their masterpieces

As I walk into Conni Gordon’s Miami Beach art studio, students from her afternoon class have just dispersed after painting a mountain landscape portrait. Each canvas looks incredibly different. There is a warm feeling throughout the studio and everyone is eager to show off their final product.

Since 1979, Gordon’s art studio and headquarters have been situated in 10,000 square feet which used to be one of Miami Beach’s first nightlife spots, replete with disc jockey booth, the Bill Jordan Bar. Through the years, Gordon has proved to be prolific in her painting as well as publishing techniques. She has taught over 15,000,000 individuals around the world to tap into their creative potential through her original, four-step art and “TILS” method. Her system, which sets out to demonstrate the technique of right and left brain thinking, has kept her teaching method in demand for over 20 years.

Gordon’s acronym for her TILS technique of painting works like this:  T—Think it; I—Ink it; L—Link it; S—Sync it. Gordon believes that having fun with painting is essential, not only for personal improvement, but for conquering a fear of the unknown.  According to Gordon, the TILS method can also be used to help channel creative thinking and to solve business problems.

When I ask Gordon if there is a negative stigma attached to the general perception of an artist, her face strikes a serious expression.

	Conni Gordon

“There isn’t anything in this world without an artist starting it,” she says.  “Art teaches sensitivity to the environment so that one can be aware of themselves within their own surroundings.”

Besides gaining a better understanding of life, Gordon’s dynamic programs help to unlock the mind. They help give everyone the power to believe in themselves, accomplish more, and become innovative problem-solvers. Her list of pupils reads like a “who's who” including Johnny Carson, Mike Douglas, Roger Moore, Steve Allen, Buddy Hackett, and Sammy Davis Jr.

But her list of past pupils wasn’t Gordon’s first brush with show business.  She was born into a show biz family, and followed the family business.  Her onstage career began during Word War II when another act didn’t show.  Utilizing her talent for improvisation, Gordon taught a group of 50,000 marines to create art in minutes in a show called “Draw Your Own Conclusions.  Outside of show biz, Gordon’s studies have taken her to Columbia University and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in France.

Gordon has simplified fine art principles so that everyone can enjoy learning and create a simple and quick painting even at their first try. Touted as “The Fastest Painter in the World,” Conni Gordon's less-than-one-minute-masterpieces are exhibited around the world in Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not Museums. She has authored 18 books and over 17 million copies have sold worldwide. She has been a regular guest on Late Night with David Letterman Terry Wogan's BBC-TV show in London, Gordon is also seen nationally on the half-hour infomercial Instant Artist and locall on Miami-Dade’s Cable Tap.  Gordon is also author of best selling creative motivational books and hundreds of video teaching tapes, such as her “Create with Conni” shows, aired in over 80 countries. Her reputation and expertise has earned her recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records since 1989.

	Conni Gordon, center, surrounded by students and their masterpieces

Devoted to helping people around the world, Gordon believes anyone can fine tune left brain logic and right brain creativity.   Gordon teaches regularly at her Miami Beach art school, as well as at the Miami Beach Convention Center and Botanical Gardens and also conducts conventions locally and regionally. Material fees are $20 and include palette, paints and brushes. Her inspiration and magic are most often spread through word of mouth.

Gordon’s philosophy on life—and art—is simple.

“You have to give to get,” she says.  “Painting saves lives.  It also creates an heirloom for future generations.”

The Conni Gordon Art School is located at  427 - 22 Street, Miami Beach.
For more information, call 305 532-1001 or visit connigordon.com.