Jasper is Back On Main Street for First Thursday Fun! Join us from 6 - 8:30 pm in our old stomping ground at Tapp's! This month we are featuring Billy Guess and Michael Shepard We've also got live music in the works, so stay tuned for that announcement!
Come shop, have a drink, and hang out with us in the alley! The artists and Jasper Board members will be on site to chat about their work.
Billy Guess Artist Bio
Billy G is a three-decade veteran of the Columbia art scene and a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina. A frequent participant in local solo and group exhibitions, Billy is perhaps best known for his administrative work at the Tapp’s Art Center. Through his leadership there and his early involvement with Main Street First Thursday, Billy dedicated much of his energy to uplifting fellow artists and championing the growth of his hometown creative community.
Billy Guess Artist Statement
Eclectic inspirations emerge from diverse mediums that continue to take me in various directions with each new project. Series of artworks can be ignited by almost any event or object in my environment. For instance, lyrics from a song, a rusty shovelhead, and the bloom of a sunflower have all evoked fresh artistic expressions. My work has ranged from found object assemblages, sight specific installations, origami erotica and most recently paintings.
My recent paintings strive to combine spontaneous line drawings and bold colorfields with a midcentury simplicity that conveys a sense of constant motion. Contrasting hues imprint themselves into the viewers consciousness creating an impression that lingers even when their focus shifts. The dynamic nature of the curvilinear forms and the informal bold washed strokes contrast with the feeling of completeness of the image as a whole.
Ultimately, my goal is to engage the viewer with a singular fluid form that initially seems straight forward but reveals a more complex nature, inviting further visual exploration as it exhibits dynamic motion and sensory engagement.
Michael Shepard Artist Bio
Michael Shepard, a native of South Carolina born in Sumter in 1979, has called Columbia, SC home for many years. His artistic passion ignited at a young age, with Michael professing to have been drawing "since he could hold a crayon." Although primarily self-taught, he credits his high school art teacher, Mrs. Lentine, at Sumter High School, as a significant influence. Under her guidance, Michael gained foundational knowledge of art principles and was introduced to the rich tapestry of art history. From these early beginnings, Michael's artistic journey has been characterized by an expansive array of styles, techniques, and mediums, each evolving in tandem with the subject matter and inspiration that drives his creativity.
Reflecting on the significance of his artistic endeavors, Michael articulates, "Art is an expression of the feelings and interpretations of my situation in the world around me. It’s a means to escape isolation and process emotions. It serves as salvation from adversity and destitution while also celebrating well-being and happiness."
Yet, amidst these profound reflections, Michael remains grounded in his humility, stating, "But really, I'm just a guy painting pictures and hopefully creating works people will enjoy."
Michael's artistic contributions have been showcased in various prestigious exhibitions, including the Bullets & Bandaids Tour, which graced venues such as the Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia, SC; Charlotte Art League, Charlotte, NC; Society Hall, Charleston, SC; Savannah Station, Savannah, GA; Sacred Heart Cultural Center, Augusta, GA; and One World Brewing West, Asheville, NC.
He has also participated in exhibitions hosted by esteemed institutions like the Pawmetto Lifeline FurBall Gala, Palmetto Foundation Fall Gala, MetCAC Jazz in The Garden Fundraiser Gala, The Jasper Project, Trenholm Art Guild, Swan Lake Gardens Iris Festival, SC State Fair and the SC Artists Autumn Faire, NOMA Warehouse and Melrose Art in the Yard.
In addition to his exhibition credits, Michael has held memberships with several esteemed artistic organizations, including the Jasper Project, 701 CCA (Center for Contemporary Art), Columbia Museum of Art, Trenholm Art Guild, South Carolina Artists Group, and Cayce Art Guild. Through these memberships, he continues to engage with and contribute to the vibrant artistic community of South Carolina and beyond.