Tell us about yourself (who are you, where are you from and where do you live?
Hello. My name is Hillary Sheppard, and I live in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains in a rural community called Sautee. We do have a post office, a few galleries, a museum and shops, but you could pass by and not know it. I love living and working in the Valley.
Where do you showcase your art, Galleries? Shops? Online? (Also provide a website/blog here)
I showcase my art on my website, hillarysheppard.com, www.facebook.com/hillary.wiggins, hillarysheppard.blogspot.com, Etsy, InsideOut Sautee, The Willows Pottery and The Red Door, and I also do festivals on occasion. I just started a blog, but I must confess that I need to post more. I was really trying to get myself to focus on writing, but I am falling a little short. I almost hate to tell anyone I have a blog. All I want to do is paint!
Where do you create?
I have a private studio in my home, and I am surrounded by art supplies, my paintings in various stages of completion, dolls that I have made, and other sentimental, quirky and fun things.
What inspires you to begin your work?
I paint or draw almost every day. It never gets tiresome. Breathing inspires me to work. I love doing things with my hands. I believe that I must paint, draw, etc. to move forward….through the mediocre, to work that really resonates with me, it is all part of an ongoing process. Since I do mixed media work, I have no problem tearing something up to elsewhere. I find a lot of peace and closeness to God in creating. It soothes me.
Has your style of artwork changed much since you started out?
Yes, my style has changed and evolved over time. Sometimes I think emotion pours through what I paint, and it leaves a certain imprint in what I am doing. I paint to be happy, and I like to see happy things. I rarely paint something that looks dark. I feel I am exposed to enough darkness in the news, etc. I have always loved lots of color, so I guess that hasn’t changed. I get inspired by other artist’s work, and it influences me also.
Who are one or two people who have been most significant to you in your development as an artist?
This is really hard because there are so many artists and people I admire, and feel that each has somehow contributed to my development. I haven’t taken any formal art classes, except basic art classes in college like Art Appreciation, and so forth. I did have a major turning point when I took an online class with Mindy Lacefield, “Paint Your Story.” I love her work, and have admired her for years. I saw that she was offering an online class, teaching different techniques, and having fun. I was a little skeptical, wondering how could you learn much from an online art class? How could it be very interactive? I decided to take a chance, and have been so happy that I did. I had gotten to a point where my inner critic was way too loud, and I wasn’t painting. I felt unhappy about this, but learned to create from a different place after taking Mindy’s class. Painting from a place of judgement really hindered me….create from your seven-year-old self is Mindy’s motto. It helped change my whole perspective at a time I needed to let go. I also have to say that if you want to take a class from another good artist, check out Jeanne Oliver’s line-up. She puts a lot in to her classes. She has great advice and inspirational ideas for the business side of things. Mindy and Jeanne’s classes have helped me work through my Dad’s death this past year. I had something to focus on and look forward to….like-minded souls. I also connected with a lot of other artists through their classes. I have never met either one, but hope to take one of their workshops in person one day. (timssally.com and jeanneoliverdesigns.com).
What are one or two primary areas of fear for you as an artist?
I have to confess that I do not have any fear when it comes to producing art. That is one area of my life that I just let things happen, and don’t bring worry or complications to the process. I love experimenting, seeing the lively colors, pasting pieces of antique paper, being very content in the movement of the brush stroke….feeling like a kid, not trying to be something for someone else.
Do you play it “safe” with your art? Or do like to mix it up a bit?
I definitely like to mix it up. I hate to say that my addiction to art supplies leads me astray!
Do you know how your work will look when it starts out?
I never know how my work is going to look when I start out. I work intuitively until I “see” something coming out, and then I start trying to flesh it out….kind of like when you are looking at clouds in the sky; you suddenly see a bunny or whatever other something your mind comes up with.
What do you like about what you do and why do you feel it is important to continue?
I like the fact that painting makes me feel excited, and I never really know what is going to happen. It is also therapeutic and relaxing. I always look forward to getting into the studio and painting. I would not trade that feeling.
What are one or two factors that make it more difficult for you to flourish?
It is a challenge to keep up with social media, put new stuff up on the site, and get the word out. I need a rep! Marketing is my biggest challenge for sure. Of course, there is never enough time to do all of the things that need to get done.
How would you describe your style or genre of artwork to someone completely unfamiliar with it?
Whimsical! Happy and whimsical are the two words that come to mind. I have heard some people refer to it as primitive, folk and naive art as well.
How do you feel when people interpret your artwork differently?
It does not bother me at all. I am always interested in what someone has to say. It makes me feel happy when I know someone is really enjoying my work. We could all use more happy.
How would you say art has affected your life?
It has a tremendous affect on my life. I would keep painting even if everything I made was going in to the garbage. Picasso said that the purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.
Do you have a family? Any children or spouse? How do you balance family and studio time?
My nine year old fella is the best thing that ever happened to me. He inspires me every day. We like to paint together, and talk. I am married and I also have two dogs. I am very fortunate. I only have one little boy, so I don’t have much problem getting studio time. I usually work early in the morning, when he has gone to school. If I need to work on something when he comes home, we just hang out in the studio. He is very sweet, and is very proud that I am an artist. He constantly tries to promote me. I am also a manager of a local gallery, InsideOut Sautee (insideoutsautee.com).
How important is it to learn about the business side of art?
It is absolutely necessary, and I still feel like I am learning new things. I have certain goals that I would like to achieve, and I need to learn how to make it happen in a realistic business sense. I would recommend talking with other artists that are achieving the things you are hoping to do. Do a lot of research before making any big investments.
As an artist, where would you like to be in five years? I would like to be able to offer wholesale to little galleries and boutiques across the country. I would also like to write a children’s book, even if I just self-publish. I would also like to have my own shop, and possibly teach art classes to kids.
"Artist Melanie Statnick is a Published Artist/Writer out of North Carolina who writes and creates art daily from her private studio. Melanie is also an Art Instructor for local venues and community colleges for students of all ages. You can read her articles and tutorials at Mixed Media Art.com . Her artwork can be found in art galleries and shops extensively in NC with international private collections." You can see more on her site: www.melaniestatnickart.com.
