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The curriculum at Verde Valley School was unique. It fostered creativity and encouraged exploration of one's self and one's place in the world. In March of 2000 Gorman found himself in Mata Ortiz (Mexico) living with Dora Quesada - niece of Juan Quesada and a master potter in her own right - studying the delicate hand built forms and firing techniques. The influence of this time is still seen in many of his pieces. A thin form, sometimes burnished and delicately painted with accents or images.

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In 2002 Gorman returned home to Gallup, NM. He continued his pursuit of art and community. He continued to study black and white film photography at the University of New Mexico with Milan Sklenar (owner of Crashing Thunder Studio Gallery in Gallup, NM and professor at UNM-G) and had a small ceramic studio. In 2004 he began studies at Fort Lewis College’s School of Engineering in Durango, Colorado.

“I actually wanted to be an architect when I was younger. I loved drawing out designs for backyard forts and making small models of houses using popsicle sticks cut into ‘lumber’. By the time I had reached high school, I had developed a love of aerospace and it was an exciting time for scientific developments. I decided to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering, I enjoyed the problem solving aspects of it, and also the CAD drawing came very naturally….I think because as a ceramicist I could easily picture what parts could be extruded or rotated and what parts needed to be drawn out. After a few years, I was missing art. Fort Lewis had a fantastic art building and program. So I decided to switch majors. It’s funny: all my engineering professors would tell me I had a very creative approach to my projects while my art professors would tell me I was very methodical in my process….I don’t know. It worked for me.”

Gorman spent the next six years in Durango. Aside from his artistic pursuits he was highly involved in the Civil Air Patrol. He became the commander of his local squadron and participated in several search and rescue missions. He also volunteered for the American Red Cross as an instructor and instructor trainer in health and safety. These pursuits connected him with people of many walks of life and develop a knack for communicating ideas to people in different ways. He was working as a restaurant manager and server during this time. His uncle, R.C. Gorman, loved food and published four cookbooks “Nudes & Foods Gorman Goes Gourmet”, "Nude & Foods Volume II", "Nudes & Foods In Good Taste", and "Nudes & Foods IV The Millennium Edition" . Gorman grew up on the Navajo reservation, but had also been exposed to culinary delights from around the world. When visiting his uncle in Taos, he would dine with him at some of Taos’ best establishments. His grandmother, Mary, was originally from Rhode Island and had an arsenal of traditional New England recipes handed down to her over the many generations since her family first arrived on the Mayflower. Yes, Gorman has a great admiration and respect for the culinary arts as well.

“I’ve worked in hospitality in some form or another for almost 20 years now. I love it. I never intended for it to be my profession for as long as it has been. But John offered me my first job as a host and cashier...as it turns out, I was good at it! …But there’s a lot that goes into any profession. And you can make it an art.”

After leaving Durango, Gorman found himself in Melbourne, Victoria Australia. He made the switch to digital photography. This wasn’t a very prolific time for him creating any pieces, but he spent much of his time visiting the many galleries and museums Australia has to offer.