gerry blakney was born and raised in western montana until thirteen. blakney moved to oregon shortly after to finish school in oregon city, a suburb outside portland where he was heavily involved in student politics though the student government and newspaper.
blakney is a graduate of western oregon university a bachelors of science in fine art with an emphasis in graphic design and printmaking, and a minor in political sciences. gerry has been very involved in student, state, and national politics since enrolling in the university through service with the student government, oregon student association, united states student association, and the oregon state board of higher education.
blakney is the founder and creative director of haf tohn design. he is the cofounder of the salem design group, a chamber of commerce for designers in and around the Willamette Valley. blakney founded and served on the board of directors of northXnw, once the northwest’s only national design symposium focused around the idea that design can be fine art.
he has exhibited and currated several art exhibits and collaborated with various designers and artists across oregon state.