May Sheppard

A R T I S T
The bright light, the wide expansive skies and the changing colours of the sea, all help create in the ideas for many of my paintings.
ABOUT MAY
Born in England, after immigrating to New Zealand I attended the University of Fine Arts in Christchurch but did not take up a career as a painter. Realising I needed to earn a living; I became a graphic designer and eventually developed my own advertising agency with many high-profile clients. Throughout my career I also mentored many new people into my industry and helped to develop polytechnic curriculums in graphic art.
Throughout my career I retained my interest and practice as a painter, taught art and honed my skills as a fine artist. In Wellington I also taught drawing and painting with the Lower Hut Art Society and was a member of the NZ Academy of Fine Arts. With these organisations I exhibited on many occasions and sold many works throughout New Zealand.
In 2004 I came to Brisbane and have become involved with local art groups in the Redlands area, continuing to encourage others. Some of my interests for 10+ years have been organising and curating art exhibitions for Redland's Creative Alliance Inc. of which I am also President.
I currently exhibit artworks in Redland City with the Old Schoolhouse Gallery in Cleveland, Straddievarious Gallery, Raby Bay and the Grand View Hotel. I also exhibit my works in other local and national galleries and have sold my paintings throughout Australia and overseas.
Over the years I have explored many different mediums in my artistic endeavours. I love painting with acrylic and oils, assemblage, utilising photography and even producing small sculptures. I have sold many of my works and had commissions for new works.
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Artist Biography (cont.)
EVENTS GROUP EXHIBITIONS
1970s and 80s - Christchurch Art Gallery, Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hut, New Zealand
2009 - 2019 - Old Schoolhouse gallery monthly exhibi1ons
2009 - 2012 - Queensland Wildlife Artists Society
2010 and 2011 - Salford Waters Redlands art show
2010 - Aveo Art Show in Cleveland
2011, 2013 - 2014 - Yurara Art Society Redland City, Qld.
2011 and 2012 - Redlands Spring Festival, Art Gallery and competition.
2011 most years to 2019 - Rotary Art Spectacular, Brisbane
2012 - Redland Art Gallery - Redlands Crea1ve Alliance Exhibition
2012 - Border Art Prize, Tweed River Art Gallery
NSW EXHIBITIONS JOINTLY WITH HUSBAND PHIL ROBINSON
2011, 13 - 2019 - Old Schoolhouse Gallery, Cleveland, Brisbane
CURATORIAL & COMMUNITY PROJECTS (also displaying my works in these exhibitions)
Each year of 2011 - 2019 - Redfest, Art Gallery and competition
Since 2009 to 2020 Chair of the Redlands Creative Alliance – an online group of Creative Ar1sts
2018 - Voted in to be the first President of the Redland’s Creative Alliance Incorporated
2013 - Coordinator for the Ignite Redlands Light Art Fes1val, Cleveland in June
2013 - Ignite Redlands Light Art Fes1val Organiser of an art show shown in the local performing arts centre in June and a light themed parade.
2014 every year to 2020- Curator for the Redlands Creative Alliance art show shown in the local Redland Performing Arts Centre RPAC
2014 - Curator for the Redlands Creative Alliance art show shown in the local Redlands Art Gallery 2017 - 2019 - Curator for the Redlands Creative Alliance art show shown in the Redlands Museum Dunn Art Gallery 2018 - Curator for the Redlands Creative Alliance art show at Myhorizons Capalaba 2018 - 2019 - Curator/Organiser for art market/gallery at Redfest Strawberry Spring Festival