Biography
Darrell’s acrylic paintings express his love affair with the desert southwest in the United States, and (more recently), his travels to the Mediterranean. His work tends to express the clear, hard-edged drama of the light in Arizona and New Mexico, and the sheer joy of big, bold color in that light. An untutored drawer and painter all his life, Sheppard lives in Mesa, Arizona, USA.
Sheppards artwork was chosen for exhibit at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum gallery four years running, and in 2017-2021 at the Mountain Oyster Club.
My inspirations are the color, light and textures in the desert and the high country of the Southwest. Ive been bumping around in this country for 40 years hiking and hunting and Im always astonished at the penetrating, crystal light. Im trying to capture a moment of that light and the texture of the rocks, the clouds, the mountains, and the plants. Im also drawn to the stark contrast between the bright light and the strong shadows in the desert. My work has been described as graphic and representational I want people who know and love the Sonoran Desert to feel at home with my paintings. Because Im trying to capture a moment, Im trying to combine an element of impressionism with the graphic realism. The luxury, abundance and resilience of the plants, and the rocks and skies of Arizona continue to inspire me.
