21 Under 31: Young Artists to Watch in 2016 | David Shepherd

Canada

David Shepherd, Scientist, oil, 30 x 46.

Art Education: I graduated from the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto after four years of studying classical realism.

Style: Realism and sometimes surrealism.

Creative Spark: My landscapes are inspired by either a great sky or a strong centerpiece, like a horse or a mountain.

Second-Choice Career: A physicist or an architect.

Other Passions: I play basketball twice a week, but I also enjoy other sports and games. I’ll be a father soon. That’ll probably be my first, second, and third passion for a while.

Best Advice Received: Relax.

Pet Peeve: People who talk and don’t really listen. For example, when you can see that the person you’re talking with is just waiting to talk. That’s pretty annoying.

Quirkiest Trait: When I go to sleep at night, I like to have a fan drown out all the outside noise or else it’s tough to sleep through the night.

Mantra or Motto: “Happiness is when what you say, what you think, and what you do are in harmony.”

Favorite Studio Music: I listen to a lot of rock music—Radiohead, the Beatles, Queens of the Stone Age, and Black Keys.

Favorite Work by Another Artist: I wanted to pick a contemporary artist, but THE BATTLE OF ISSUS by Albrecht Altdorfer keeps entering my mind. It is a long-time favorite and is super epic.

Price Range: $500 to $20,000.

Representation: Artworld Fine Art, Toronto, ON; Howe Street Gallery, Vancouver, BC; Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL.

Featured in the September 2016 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art September 2016 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.