Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Shepherd.
Jim, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Art has always been in my life. I had a drawing club with friends back in elementary where we’d make up our own comic characters and draw during recess.
As I got older, I held my interest with the comics but I started getting more into fine arts as well. My parents never took it seriously though so I had to just settle with doing art as a hobby. It wasn’t until recently with a layoff from a large corporation did I find myself able to focus on my art full time.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Making art can be very difficult at times. I am not making work currently that is impactful or has a message, so there is no reason for me to paint beyond my pure satisfaction in doing so. But a lot of the times I’m not satisfied with my work. I want to say more.
I want to make more impactful and meaningful work but it’s hard for me to find what to say and stick with it. I’m eclectic and I never relied on my art to make a living despite it largely driving my social life. Now that I’m doing art full time, it’s hard for me to buckle down and focus on all the different aspects it takes in the business of art.
Tell us more about your art.
Making and selling art is a business in and of itself. Once the art is made (which can be a staggering amount of work by itself) you take photos to document the work, promote, work to exhibit by finding a venue, putting it online, joining an art group or collective, deliver, etc. I’m no fan of any of those things. I do enjoy putting on shoes though.
I enjoy the social aspects. I enjoy being able to put other artists and types of art in the spotlight. I once threw an art show/burlesque with two dancers who, let’s be honest, completely stole the show. The performers always steal the show which I’m usually fine with since I’ll find the talent I myself enjoy.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success means being happy at the end of the day I feel. It varies for everyone so I guess that’s a generic answer. For me, I need to feel like I’ve achieved something, or maybe introduced someone to something new or showed someone something fun or relatable. I made a friend cry once with my artist’s statement from a past show.
I will always remember how she came up to me, eyes all red, and she could totally understand what my show was about since it was about us all and how significant we all are. That was a success for me. The money would be welcome to help me continue creating but if money weren’t a factor, money wouldn’t be what drove me. I guess it’s the positive impact I could possibly make in the limited time here.
Contact Info:
- Website: Jshepherd916.wixsite.com/arts
- Email: jshepherd916@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/_john_leopoldo_
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jshepherd916
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/jshepherd916
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
