About the Artist

My name is Gordon Jin Fong, and my story begins in a very unique place-born in 1948 off the coast of Honolulu, Hawaii, aboard the USS General Gordon.  Maybe it was fate that I was literally born on a ship named Gordon My family emigrated from China to San Francisco and eventually settled under the bright Arizona sun in 1952, where I grew up. In the 1970s, I was drafted into the U.S. Army and served 4½ years as an Army Engineer, doing design, drafting, and photography at Fort Huachuca, AZ and Okinawa, Japan.  Photography became more than just part of my job—it became my voice. While in Japan, I received numerous awards for my black-and-white photography and even had the privilege of teaching photography to high school students on base. Sharing what I loved sparked something in me.

After returning to the U.S., I felt called to follow my true creative passion. I went back to school and earned two BFA degrees in Design and Photography from Arizona State University in 1979. That decision shaped the rest of my life.  I spent most of my career as an Art Director, and for the last 20 years, I worked at Rio Salado College as Manager of Art Direction, creating ads, brochures, marketing materials, and of course, photography. I’ve been fortunate to blend design and photography my entire career.

My love for photography began as a child with my father’s Kodak Brownie Hawkeye camera. In college, I met Pasco DiCarlo, a dear friend and mentor who changed the way I saw the world. He used to tell me: “You have to be the camera. Open your eyes and see the light!”  Those words have stayed with me for over 55 years behind the lens.  Now that I’m retired, I’m not slowing down—I’m preparing to publish my life’s work and continue creating.

They say, “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Well, that’s exactly what happened to me.  I’ve always had a passion for the creative field—design, photography, storytelling. Over the years, I’ve designed logos, brochures, posters, signage, packaging, billboards, corporate identities, stickers, and more. As a photographer, I’ve worked in product, food, architecture, interior, documentary, fashion, and beyond.  Even in retirement, I still love what I do.  This is my journey—and I’m excited to share it with you.  If I can help or inspire you in any way, just let me know.

Here’s my Story