My Life in Art

I grew up in the South in places where the horizon line was before me every day—flat and bleached of color. At 17 I moved to NYC for a few years to study and then Washington, DC to develop a theater with my brother. While we were at work part-time I used the other time to learn graphic design and became the art director for several publications, over 15 years,  most especially Books & Arts, an offshoot of the Chronicle of Higher Education, where I met my husband.

When I had the opportunity after Books & Arts folded, I took classes with a wide-ranging group of teachers at the Corcoran School of Art and was encouraged to explore many different styles and mediums. I continue using different mediums, depending on what my message is.

After moving to Vermont in 1988 I painted in isolation enough to finally decide to spend numerous sessions over many years at the Vermont Studio Center, an artists’ colony in northern VT. The insight I was able to glean from established, skilled artists was invaluable to my work. And the landscape didn’t have flat horizons any more. It’s more colorful, too.

I worked with pastels first to paint landscapes but always kept a hand in painting with oils. I no longer solely paint landscapes but I do always paint nature because it continues to absorb me emotionally. When living on the Appalachian Trail I began to make timber sculptures with wood I dragged home.  I love the freedom of playing with multiple mediums.

In my dotage I have learned to trust my hand and my eye, a great advantage to growing old. I have spent so much time staring at canvases I never am at a loss for subject matter nor desire to move away from the natural world. I have participated in well over 100 shows, primarily in New England. I especially love to do installations that allow me to use several of my skills on the same theme. There’s never enough time….

Gaal Shepherd