Wolves in Medieval Clothing, Trees Scaring Hikers Part of Nature Art Exhibit

is showcasing the nature inspired artwork of local artist and educator Mark Sheppard.

The exhibit features 25  whimsical ink and gouache works for his show   The show delves deep into the wonderful world of storytelling, with wolves in medieval attire, a giant tree that frightens hikers and a fish encased house. The exhibit quickly transports the viewer into Sheppard's own personal Grimm's fairy tale.

In an interview with University City Patch, Sheppard said storytelling is a vital element in his work. He said his work is a combination of “good craftsmanship, good composition and execution as well as some kind of hint of something deeper.”

That hint at something deeper is inspired by the things around him or affecting him when he sits down to interact with his artwork, he said.

“The best thing about inspiration is you never know where or when it will strike. The key is to be ready and attentive – always looking for something to work with,”  Sheppard said.

Going on to credit nature as an abundant source of inspiration, Sheppard uses his surroundings to create his wild fantasy work through a form of subconscious drawing that is free from a premeditated direction, called automatic drawing.

Sheppard rarely knows where his pencil will lead him as he lets his subconscious take over. He compared his improvisational art process to life.

“We sometimes only get small fragments of information and we have to fill in the rest,” he said.

His amusing creature and nature narratives are complemented by his illustrative style based heavily off storybook illustrations and timeless work of the 16th and 17th century Dutch and Flemish masters. 

Sheppard teaches drawing at St. Louis Community College-Meramec.

"As an educator I am reminded of the importance of the core basics of the art making process every semester," he said. "Sometimes my art directly speaks to and about these important issues, such as perspective, line and color usage.”

The opportunity to escape to the whimsical realm of Mark’s Nature at the Green Center will last until March 31.