Diana Shepherd went to university as a mature student and finished in 2001. She describes herself as “very lucky” to go practically straight into a school as an artist in residence for the next 9 years.

During this time she co-founded a visual art organisation with her fellow A.I.R Stephen Coley. They now have two studios, one based in her home town of Long Eaton (Charles Abbey Workshops) and the second as artist in residence at the Arboretum Park, Derby.

I met her at her exhibition in Derby, when she took part in the Art in Empty Shops scheme.

What inspires you?
I’m particularly inspired by the combination of architecture and nature at the moment.

What are the themes and ideas behind your work?
My main focus at the moment is drawing. Combining drawings of natural and man made structures I am creating a series of hand drawn wall papers. I love the idea of blending contemporary drawings with traditional materials such as ink, charcoal and paper.

How do you feel about exhibiting your work and how do you prepare yourself for it?
Having worked primarily in a partnership, I have only recently begun to exhibit my own work on a more regular basis. I am currently planning a number of exhibitions, which I will use to push myself and make more work. Exhibiting work and engaging in any creative project usually fills me with some dread, but I use this
apprehension to try to do the best I can.

How has your work changed over time? Has there been a shift in ideas?
Very much so, I feel that I have come full circle with my work. I entered art school wanting to draw and paint and this was soon challenged and I felt that it wasn’t acceptable to create without a thought provoking concept. There are a number of people who create in an instinctive way, purposefully not intellectualising the process. I am much more confident now about what I want to do and why. The shift in ideas centres around my love of drawing and valuing the process itself.

Do you sell any of your work?
I have sold work and currently have a number of commissions. Working in the Art in Empty Shops’ scheme introduced me to working in a more commercial environment, which I really enjoyed.

Have you exhibited your work regularly?
No, but I intend to.

How do you promote your work? Do you think you could do more?
I hardly promote myself or my work. Although I could do more, I think that I need to very carefully consider the way in which I would do this.

Do you have any favourite artists?
I am a great admirer of Expressionism, particularly Egon Shiele.

What materials do you use and why?
I am using charcoal and ink at the moment. I love the malleability of charcoal and the severity of ink.

What materials would you like to learn to use and why?
I am gathering together materials for a series of cement sculptures that I want to make. I recently went to the Cyprus College of Art (which I recommend) where I learned the basics and was impressed by its potential. I love creating objects and the contrast between the process of 2d and 3d art.

When did you last go to an art exhibition? What was it and why did you go?
I went to Wirksworth festival. I was displaying my work in a shop window and decided to see what else was on show. It was a very mixed bag, which I liked.

Anything else to add?
On a practical note, I would advise artists to exchange their talents in return for studio space. This enables the artist to keep hold of their workspace even during a financial crisis. Steve and I have never paid for studio space but negotiated an amount of artistic time per month that we would give our ‘landlord’ in exchange. Always try to barter and be audacious in your thinking.

[Show as slideshow]

Diana uses charcoal on paper

Her art occupied an empty shop in Derby

Diana used easels to present her drawings

The drawings lead from the window into the shop

Copyright
All images of Diana Shepherd’s work (except image top left) are copyright Diana Shepherd and have been included here with her permission. Image top left is courtesy of Andrew Martyn Sugars.

Wanted: Fine Artists
Calling all artists. Want to showcase and promote your art and share your experiences with the world? It is totally free to do so. Drop me a line at talk[at]dianeashmore[dot]com or leave a comment below.