Celebrating Sedona’s magic and beauty is what Clark Sheppard, a 13-year resident of Sedona, expresses daily with his whimsical paintings created in oil, acrylic and watercolor. His exhibit is now showing at Sedona City Hall through the end of March.
The whimsical feel of Sheppard’s work is greatly enhanced by the fact that he is living his dream in Sedona. The magical beauty of Sedona continually reminds him to open and expand his conscious awareness of and appreciation for the profound impact nature can have on us, when we truly pay attention to this wonderful planet we call Earth.
Sheppard, who signs his artwork McShep, was repeatedly exposed to art at a young age, but only became active as an artist in 1989. His father, a freelance commercial artist working out of his home, never showed Clark how to paint.
His initial exposure to painting began simply enough, through an adult evening education course at a local New Jersey high school.
“I started with the medium of watercolor thinking, how hard can it be, only to discover that it was one of the most challenging mediums there is,” Sheppard said.
He showed his first work to a good friend, Gordon Haas, an artist with his own gallery in Lambertville, N.J. Haas told Sheppard he perceived the beginnings of some real talent and encouraged him to pursue his interest in art. He then became Sheppard’s mentor and what started as dabbling, fast grew into a passion.
Artist Thomas McKnight had a huge influence on Sheppard’s palette. To pay homage to him Sheppard decided to put a Mc in front of his nickname Shep.
Thus, McShep Art Studios was born and to this day he signs his art, McShep.
Sheppard became interested in the Southwest after a ski vacation in Jackson Hole, Wyo. He rolled his snowmobile and broke his hand. In order to kill time, he spent his days walking around galleries. He was particularly inspired by the artistic images he found in Southwest Art magazine.
“When I saw the images of the Southwest, they spoke to me. I have been painting Southwest art ever since, even before moving to Sedona when I lived in New Jersey.” Sheppard said.
Sheppard recently received an email from Warner Bros. Television asking for permission to license his image of “Creekside Cathedral” for a new media series it is producing.
“Of course, at first, I thought it was a scam. Warner Bros. wants my art?” he said. After further investigation, Sheppard found the request to be authentic and signed a contract with the company.
Former President George W. Bush owns Sheppard’s painting, “Patriotic Longhorns.” Sheppard’s work has been seen in Southwest Art, Cowboys and Indians, American Cowboy, Texas Monthly and True West magazines.
His original watercolor of Goulding’s Stagecoach hangs in the Stagecoach restaurant at Gouldings Lodge in Monument Valley.
“I have wanted to exhibit Clark Sheppard’s work for quite some time and I am very happy this opportunity has arisen. His work matches his joyful spirit. His color palette is strikingly bold and his paintings of Southwest landscapes are portrayed in such a distinctly colorful style. Don’t miss this vibrant exhibit brightening up City Hall,” said Nancy Lattanzi, city of Sedona arts and culture coordinator.
Sheppard’s exhibit is located in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 102 Roadrunner Drive. To check viewing availability and/or purchasing art for this exhibit, as well as many other exhibits in the City Hall Art Rotation Program, make an appointment by contacting Lattanzi at 203-5078 or NLattanzi@SedonaAZ.gov.
