About the Artist

As a small child, I was always drawing and trying to express ideas swimming around in my mind. These ideas would flow from that unknown place in my brain, through my fingers onto whatever piece of paper was available. My late mother, Bessie Shepard, was usually the willing, patient victim who would pose for me while I expressed myself. From her, I gathered inspiration and encouragement.

Without formal training, I was mesmerized by the textures, balance, shapes and colors in paintings, without knowing the terminology. The way the light and dark interacted with each other fascinated me. A source of inspiration was drawn from analyzing the works of Old Masters in books. Studying their paintings and seeing how and what they saw, motivated me to learn more. Discerning the way the Old Masters saw things, became a fascination for me. By entering the navy after high school and receiving the GI Bill, I was able to fulfill my lifelong dream of studying art. After being accepted into several prestigious colleges, I decided to study at the University of Georgia. While at this university, I learned the rigorous discipline of drawing, which I believe, is the foundation for all art endeavors. I later transferred to the Atlanta School of Art, where I awarded a French Fellowship to study in Paris. During this fellowship, I spent many hours in class drawing the human figure, and outside class, visiting the museums. At the Louve, I studied the Old Masters such as DaVinci, Rembrandt, and several Baroque painters. At the Impressionist Museum, I was fascinated with artists such as Monet, and at the Museum of Modern art, I studied the works of Picasso. I was now able to see and examine first hand the painters that I had years ago studied in books.

Several years later I completed my undergraduate work at Arkansas Tech University and my MFA at the University of Arkansas. Quite often I have heard the statement that artist are born and have a god-given talent, forgoing the need to study. While I believe that artist have a special gift from God, I only know that I wanted to study and learn more. I was not satisfied with just "how to do it". I needed to learn, and I am still learning today.

My work has taken many turns during my career, but in the last twenty or more years my work has become somewhat abstract. I have been more concerned with the deeper elements than merely the content. In recent years, my work has evolved to a more representative level expressing a more Christian message. As I paint I listen to the classical works of the Old Masters and believe those composers listened to God and created music that would touch the heart and soul of those who listen. I believe they were obedient to His will. My goal at this stage of my life to listen to God and be obedient to his will. Hopefully I will create works that will touch the heart and soul of those viewing my works.

Fred Shepard