68 Gilbert Road
Belmont, MA 02478
978-764-5628
shapleighd@yahoo.com

Artist Statement

One of my aims in my work is to represent the truth about the object I am recreating. While some of the images and objects I create are not real, the work is created from direct observation. I do not consider myself a "Realist" as it is often described or portrayed, but as an artist that is committed to the exploration of my visual perception through drawing and painting in the fullest plastic meaning of these terms. Furthermore, I choose to experiment with my ideas on creating art or my ideas about an object by interacting with it, and then repeatedly do it in different ways, allowing the idea to develop and not settle on a particular outcome. The subject matter that allows this process to develop is the people and the objects in my immediate environment. When creating this work, I do not wish to portray my emotions.

Representing the truth about the object I am recreating forces me to be as objective as possible about this object or subject. Working in this manner will encourage the viewer of the piece of work to do the same. I want the viewer to look with his eyes and not allow his stored visual references or prior information to interfere with this viewing process. Although the work is accessible as a recognizable shape to the viewer, it is not readily or easily processed.

I would like the viewer to respond to how the image was created as much as I would like him to react visually to the object being pictured. The material application or the composition may not allow the viewer to relate to the picture in the familiar way that he expects. Consequently, he must relate the best he can with the image. While the application of the material is not transparent or neutral, it is not apparent to the viewer at first.

Education

MFA, Boston University, 1999, Boston, MA

BFA, University of Massachusetts North Dartmouth, 1995, N. Dartmouth, MA

Academic Affiliations

Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA
Visiting Assistant Professor of Fine Arts, 2000- , Drawing, Painting, and 2-D Design

Art Institute of Pittsburgh/Online, Pittsburgh, PA
Visiting Lecturer of Fine Arts, 2006- , Drawing and Painting

Newbury College, Brookline, MA
Visiting Lecturer of Fine Arts, 2006- , Drawing and Drafting

Montserrat College of Art, Beverly, MA
Visiting Lecturer of Fine Arts, 2004- , Drawing, Painting, and Pre College

Solo Exhibitions

Wallace L. Anderson Gallery, "New Work"
2008, Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA

Imago Gallery
2007, Warren, RI

Mt. Washington Valley Art Association Gallery
2002, North Conway, NH

Wallace L. Anderson Gallery
2001, Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA

Groups Exhibitions

Boston City Hall, Scully Square Gallery, "Works on Paper"
2007, Boston, MA

Gallery X, "New Work 2007"
2007, New Bedford, MA, Curator: Roger Kizik

Energy Gallery, '2 - d - 3 - d'
2006, Toronto, Canada, energygallery.com

Carol Schlosberg Alumni Gallery, Montserrat College of Art, "Faculty Exhibition"
2006, Beverly, MA

Long Beach Arts, "Works on Paper"
2006, Long Beach, CA, Honorable Mention, Curator: Marshall Astor

Caladan Gallery, "Black and White"
2006, Beverly, MA, www.caladangallery.com

Associated Artists of Winston Salem, "Face Value"
2005, Winston-Salem, NC Curator: Marc Pachter

Worcester Art Museum, "New Work"
2005, Worcester, MA

Fowler Gallery, "Male Image"
1997, Provincetown, MA

Wright State University, "Drawing from Perception"
1996, Wright State University Art Galleries, Dayton, OH

Residencies, Awards, Organizations

Vermont Studio Center, 2008 Artist Grant Fellowship
Vermont Studio Center, 2007 Clowes Fellowship
Rocky Neck Art Colony 2007
CAAA