David Shepherd

David Shepherd first started drawing at the age of 3, and painting at the age of 8. After drawing from comic books during adolescence he became intensely interested in oil painting after viewing masterworks from Caravaggio and Rembrandt. David started painting in acrylic and then oils regularly after high school and joined Sheridan College. At this time he had his first shows at the Art Gallery of Hamilton and other local galleries.  Luckily in Toronto, he was able to find an education that could compare to the great paintings created by old masters like Van Dyke and Rubens. The Academy of Realist Art (ARA), a Toronto based private school founded by renowned realism artist John Michael Angel who in turn was taught by artist Pietro Annigoni.   The school provides the same training as the famous 19th Century French Academies which included painters William Bouguereau and Charles Bargue. After 4 years of study under the Academic system, he graduated from their program in 2012. David participates in international art exhibitions, art fairs, contests, and competitions, displaying his works across the U.S and Canada. 

ARTIST STATEMENT

These paintings are a narrative on society in that they are a reflection of what people look for in their media, but more importantly what they change in themselves. Cosmetic surgery and the push for beauty in everyday pictures via the internet have continued to gain momentum in the past 10 years to the point it is consuming our media attention and many of our lives.

The format of large Hyper Realism painting was chosen as a way of showing the beauty agenda in people’s faces. Also admittedly as a technically skilled artist, it was a great way to channel my talents in a modern way. Although classically trained I am motivated to make art that is interesting and pertinent to today.

The expressions caught in the moment the photo was taken were interesting to capture. We are very good actors but when something foreign is thrown onto us you can’t help but react to it naturally, as a defense mechanism I suppose. In this way when I was pouring things on the models I was able to get their real reactions.

(Something for Jay and Lindsey to say about the work)

David’s work is an impressive and rare talent of extremely realistic painting technique, combined with a composition of movement and beauty. His style of Hyper Realism is in line with contemporaries looking to push forward the narrative of what Realism art will mean in the future.   

NOTABLE  SHOWS

2019- Representation, Habatat Galleries, West Palm Beach, FL

2019- Gallery Mad Ones, Solo Show, Toronto 

2019 – Artist Project International Art Fair, Toronto

2018 – Online Representation, Wynwood 28, Miami

2018- Representation, Le Soleil Fine Art, Vancouver 

2018- National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Best of America National Exhibition, Eisele Gallery, Cincinnati 

2018 – Oil Painters of America National Exhibition, Steamboat Springs

2018 – Artist Project International Art Fair, Toronto

2018 – Online Representation, Ugallery, San Francisco

2017 – Representation, Westmount Gallery, Toronto

2017 – Solo Show, Gallery Art@231, Hamilton

2017 – Judge/ Exhibitor, Arts and Letters Club, Toronto,

2014 – Representation, Howe St Gallery, Vancouver

2010 – Representation, Art World Fine Art, Toronto

2009 – John B Aird Juried Exhibition, Toronto

2006 – Representation, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Art Shop

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