People have always been at the heart of Cathy Shepherd’s work. Even in still life and landscape works, the human presence is considered. This core interest led to like-minded schools and instructors: The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts with its long tradition of figure painting and painters such as Arthur DeCosta, Jimmy Leuders and Sidney Goodman; a printmaking degree from the Louisville School of Art and color studies with Mary Ann Currier; an MFA from Brooklyn College studying with Philip Pearlstein and Lennart Anderson.
'Looking back, I am amazed that I "happened" to be in line for all those great teachers
and what they gave. You can't overestimate the value of a teacher who teaches you
what they know but leaves you to find your own way. There are so many more;
I could list an armful of great teachers.'
The love of a story combined with a love of draughstmanship is central, the framing and support for whatever follows. There is always the artist curiosity about new ways with new and old mediums. Anything that aids the story is a possibility and within the classical construct of narrative/figurative art, there is a play and delight in the act of painting.
Shepherd has taught figure drawing, design and composition at the University of Louisville, is a Master Artist with Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft and most recently, reopened the Continuing Education program and designed CFAC Academy classes for the Louisville Visual Art Association. She has led Professional Development classes for one of the largest school systems in the nation. The recipient of national fellowships and grants, she has given classes and demonstrations in the US and Germany. Cathy Shepherd's work is in public and private collections in the United States, Europe and Japan
'Looking back, I am amazed that I "happened" to be in line for all those great teachers
and what they gave. You can't overestimate the value of a teacher who teaches you
what they know but leaves you to find your own way. There are so many more;
I could list an armful of great teachers.'
The love of a story combined with a love of draughstmanship is central, the framing and support for whatever follows. There is always the artist curiosity about new ways with new and old mediums. Anything that aids the story is a possibility and within the classical construct of narrative/figurative art, there is a play and delight in the act of painting.
Shepherd has taught figure drawing, design and composition at the University of Louisville, is a Master Artist with Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft and most recently, reopened the Continuing Education program and designed CFAC Academy classes for the Louisville Visual Art Association. She has led Professional Development classes for one of the largest school systems in the nation. The recipient of national fellowships and grants, she has given classes and demonstrations in the US and Germany. Cathy Shepherd's work is in public and private collections in the United States, Europe and Japan
