David Shepherd is a renowned artist known for his hyper-realistic paintings and his commitment to wildlife conservation. Born in Canada, Shepherd showed an early aptitude for art, beginning to draw at the age of 3 and paint at 8. His artistic journey began in earnest during his adolescence when he became fascinated with oil painting after viewing masterworks by Caravaggio and Rembrandt.

Shepherd’s formal education in art began at Sheridan College, where he had his first exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Hamilton and other local galleries. Seeking to refine his skills in the tradition of the old masters, he enrolled at the Academy of Realist Art (ARA) in Toronto. This prestigious institution, founded by John Michael Angel, follows the curriculum of the 19th-century French Academies. Shepherd graduated from the ARA’s rigorous four-year program in 2012.

Throughout his career, Shepherd has developed a distinctive style characterized by hyper-realistic portraits that often incorporate unexpected elements, such as liquids being poured over the subjects. His work is not merely about technical prowess but also serves as a commentary on society’s obsession with beauty and cosmetic alterations. Shepherd’s large-scale paintings capture fleeting expressions and genuine reactions, adding depth and authenticity to his portrayals.

Shepherd has participated in numerous exhibitions and art fairs across North America. Some of his notable shows include:

• 2019: Solo exhibition at Gallery Mad Ones, Toronto
• 2019: Habatat Galleries, West Palm Beach, FL
• 2019: Artist Project International Art Fair, Toronto
• 2018: National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Best of America National Exhibition, Eisele Gallery, Cincinnati
• 2018: Oil Painters of America National Exhibition, Steamboat Springs
• 2017: Solo Show at Gallery Art@231, Hamilton
• 2017: Judge and Exhibitor at Arts and Letters Club, Toronto
  
  

In addition to these exhibitions, Shepherd has gained representation at several prestigious galleries, including Westmount Gallery in Toronto (2017), Howe St Gallery in Vancouver (2014), and Art World Fine Art in Toronto (2010).

Shepherd’s work has also been recognized in competitions. He has been a finalist in the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s Wildlife Artist of the Year competition multiple times:

• 2023: Finalist
• 2022: Finalist (Highly Commended)
• 2021: Finalist (Highly Commended)
• 2020: Finalist
  
  

These accolades demonstrate Shepherd’s consistent excellence and recognition within the art community.

David Shepherd’s artistic philosophy combines technical skill with contemporary relevance. He states, “Although classically trained I am motivated to make art that is interesting and pertinent to today.” This approach has earned him praise from gallery owners Jay and Lindsey, who describe his work as “an impressive and rare talent of extremely realistic painting technique, combined with a composition of movement and beauty.”

As Shepherd continues to evolve as an artist, his work remains a powerful exploration of human nature, societal pressures, and the intersection of classical technique with modern themes. His contributions to the art world extend beyond his canvases, as he actively participates in international art fairs, contests, and exhibitions, further solidifying his place as a significant figure in contemporary realist art.

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.

Jay & 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.