Shep the Sheep

The story behind the painting

Shep There is something timeless about Shep. He isn't looking toward us. His gaze has been drawn upward, as though something beyond the canvas has caught his attention. There is a gentleness in that expression—a sense of wonder, curiosity and quiet hope. I wanted Shep to feel peaceful. The soft creams and warm taupes of his wool sit against a quiet blue-gray background, allowing the details of his face and that beautiful upward gaze to become the story. Nothing competes for attention. The simplicity is intentional. It gives Shep room to simply be. There is an almost angelic quality about him. His wool surrounds his face like a soft cloud, while the light catches his eye and the tips of his curls. He seems to be looking toward something good—something we cannot see, but perhaps he can. Animals have a wonderful ability to remind us of the value of simply being present. They don't need grandeur to possess dignity, and they don't need words to communicate gentleness. Shep is a classic portrait of a sheep, but for me, he became something more. He is a quiet reminder to look up once in a while. To search for the light. To appreciate the calm moments when nothing is being asked of us. Sometimes beauty doesn't need to announce itself. Sometimes it simply looks toward the sky. — Barbara J. Demers