‘Art comes from the heart,' says Eagle County artist

Vail Daily: What does art mean to you?
Jon Sheppard: Art comes from the heart. It’s how you see things. There are all types of paintings. There are all types of photography and many other forms of art. I see it through the lens of my camera and it comes from the heart, not from the camera.

VD: When did you know you wanted to become an artist?
JS: We are all given gifts from God. I knew as a young child somewhere there was a place for me with arts. In the third grade my classmate showed me how to sketch with a pencil with depth perception. In the first grade I also wanted to be an underwater diver and wanted to do movies. A year after high school I lived in the Virgin Islands and did just that. I took up music in the firth grade being a drummer and ending up playing drums for the country music giants. My background is also television production as a camera man and that lead me into doing photography and photography books. I now have three award winning photography books.

VD: What inspires you to create? What mood do you have to be in?
JS: My mind is always looking for that ‘certain’ shot as I am driving down the road, just being somewhere out and about. My mind is always thinking of new projects, places, people to photograph and things to photograph. I try to keep a positive mental attitude, good self esteem, self confidence and setting goals to go for. I like to dream BIG!

VD: Why did you choose your medium or did it choose you?
JS: I chose this medium from my childhood times. Photos in books just fascinated me. It also chose me.

VD: Describe your style.
JS: Once again I shoot from the heart. I see something that inspires me and off I go. A beautiful mountain/valley scene with the bright azure blue sky and bright, bellowing white clouds. Snow capped mountains with a broad fertile valley and an old ranch and barn in the foreground is one example.

VD: If you could meet any photographer who would it be?
JS: I always want to meet other photographer artists and I always listen to what they have to share. John Fielder did the foreword on my first book. He is a very successful photographer and publisher. He never saw the book ‘til it was in print. He was impressed enough to say to me, “Jon I hope you will continue in this endeavor. You can become as big as I am. Anything I can do to help you I will.” Wow! What a wonderful compliment.

VD: Where do you display your work?
JS: My work is displayed here in Avon at the Nest located next to Office Depot and for the month of January at Loaded Joe’s.

For more information visit jonsheppardphotography.com.

If you go ... Who: Photographer Jon Sheppard What: Artist reception When: Friday at 7 p.m. Where: Loaded Joes in Avon More information: Call Loaded Joes at 748-1480. Sheppard’s photographs will be on display through the end of the month. Sheppard will also be signing his current book, “Cowboys, Cowgirls and Wide Open Spaces.”