Sedona’s Favorite Art Gallery and Gift Shop

Clark Sheppard’s Vivid Paintings Featured at Village Gallery

Clark Sheppard’s mystical landscapes with vibrant hues and glowing abstract skies, are created using fluorescent acrylic paints. His striking style captures the excitement of experiencing the natural beauty of Red Rock Country for the first time, and the continual inspiration found every day.

Sheppard will be the Featured Artist at the Village Gallery of Local Artists during the month of August, 2025. He has been a valued Member Artist at the gallery displaying his chromatically spirited paintings for many years.

In 1990, at age 45, Sheppard signed up for an adult art class at a New Jersey local high school. What began as simple curiosity evolved into a passionate artistic journey. Sheppard explains; “My fascination with Southwestern art grew steadily, inspiring me to portray its unique beauty. Between 1990 and 2004, I poured my heart into creating over 80 colorful artworks, each painting bringing me closer to the spirit of the Southwest.”

When Sheppard retired and moved to Sedona in 2004, he dreamed of selling his art, but life had other plans. To stay here, he took a job and painted on the side. Over time, his passion faded, the creative spark dimmed, and eventually he stopped painting altogether for five years. Thinking he had hit a dead end with art, Sheppard reluctantly took an art class at the Sedona Art Center in November of 2017 with Claudia Hartley. He says, “Claudia’s instruction aroused in me verve and inspiration I did not know I had. My paintings went from whimsical expressionist to “Vivid, Mystical Landscapes.” In fact, the first painting I completed in the class I titled “Inspired.” From there, my creativity took off to the point where now I am happier than ever with my art and feel I have found my niche!”

Sheppard’s artwork has been seen in Southwest Art Magazine, Cowboys and Indians, American Cowboy, Texas Monthly, and True West magazines. His original watercolor of “Stagecoach” hangs in the Stagecoach restaurant at Goulding’s Lodge in Monument Valley AZ. Sheppard has licensed his image “Creekside Cathedral” to Warner Bros. to use in the streaming media series “Snatchers.” Pres. George W. Bush is the proud owner of award-winning “Patriotic Longhorns” which Clark painted after the tragedy of 9-11.

Sheppard’s artwork is also known and collected internationally. In 2019, twelve original paintings were selected for the “America Contemporary Art Show” in Guangzhou, China. This body of work was a sold-out exhibition to private collectors.

The public is invited to meet Clark Sheppard during a reception at the Village Gallery on Friday August 1^st from 5-8pm, where you can ask him about his artwork and find out how to schedule a private tour of his studio. Refreshments will be served at this free event, and other Member Artists will be on hand.

The Village Gallery is a co-op style gallery, located at 6512 State Route 179 in the Village of Oak Creek. Applications for new membership are available. For more information, stop by the gallery, call (928) 284-1416, or visit the website at https://sedonalocalartists.com.