His persona lends itself naturally to this cause, as he was a most approachable down-to-earth fellow who enjoyed sharing his pleasure of art and his concern over the diminishing wildlife throughout the world. In his early days, he was 'thrown' into the creative world purely by chance, as he wasn't particularly keen about other college activities.

David Shepherd is commonly quoted as saying that up to his late teens his life was not very successful, as he always had an ambition to be a game warden in Africa. So after ending his schooling, David Shepherd left England with the concept of a career within the national parks of Africa. Unfortunately, he was promptly instructed that there was no place for him, and his childhood desires lay in ruins.
Throughout school days, his foremost curiosity in art had been as a substitute for the compulsory games of rugby which left him with quite frightened.
Unable to understand what would possibly possess people to roll around a muddy rugby pitch and endure horrible injury, David Shepherd took refuge in the faculty artwork department where he produced a hideous picture of some birds, which he brings along with him to this present day when public speaking.

After his disappointment at not been given the chance to be part of Kenya's game warden neighbourhood, he managed to find a job in a neighbourhood resort on the coast working within the reception for one pound per week. David Shepherd started to paint pictures of birds, and by chance managed to sell seven pictures at ten pounds a canvas, which allowed him to pay for his ticket back to England on the Union Castle steamship.

When back in England he saw two possibilities of career for himself. Either David Shepherd could try to make it as an artist, or drive a bus. After careful thought he decided the bus driver choice was by far the safest bet, as it was well-known that almost all artists had little cash or prospects. His father helped at this level and urged that if he actually needed to develop his artistic skills, he would want some training.

David Shepherd set off to the Slade school of fine art in London with his bird picture, unfortunately he was told that he had no artistic ability and that instructing him would be pointless. Driving a London bus was beginning to appear the extra likely possibility, until by complete coincidence, he met an artist called Robin Goodwin who was regarded as a highly skilled marine artist. He never worked with apprentices, but luckily for David Shepherd, he agreed to see some of his work. The very subsequent day David Shepherd arrived at Robin Goodwin's studio in Chelsea with his 'bird' painting, and to David's sheer amazement Robin Goodwin agreed to help him. It is because of this artist that David achieved the creative status that he enjoys in the present day, and has at all times a feeling of deep gratitude for the help he acquired from Robin Goodwin.
Books
David Shepherd's first autobiographical book 'The Man Who Loves Giants' was published in 1976 which very quickly became a best seller. This was revised and updated in 1989 as subsequent editions were published. A second book illustrating his love for steam trains was published in 1984 'A Brush With Steam' and in 1985 'The Man and his Paintings' was the first comprehensive book showing a complete spectrum of David's work. 'An Artist in Conservation' was released in 1992 which illustrated some of Mr Shepherd's finest paintings. 'My Painting Life' and 'Only One World' were published in 1995 'Panting with David Shepherd, Unique Studio Secrets Revealed' was published in 2004
TV Documentaries
'The Man Who Loved Giants' was the title for this film of David Shepherd's life story produced in 1972 by the late James Stewart.
The documentary was shown worldwide.
'The Last Train to Mulobezi' tells an exciting story of the survival of an ancient locomotive and railway coach from the Zambezi
Sawmills Railway and their 12,000 mile journey back to England.
The train was given as a gift by Dr Kenneth Kaunda, the President of Zambia, and after raising enough money
through the sale of paintings in USA. A helicopter was bought and given to Zambia to help prevent poaching.
Thames TV produced a series of six half hour programmes titled 'In Search of Wildlife'
Illustrating the plight of endangered mammals throughout the world. These were later broadcast in the USA.
'Nature Watch' with Julian Pettifer began in 1990 and David Shepherd produced the first programme in the series.
Last but not least, David Shepherd has been the subject of the programme 'This is Your Life'.
David Shepherd Awards.
1971
Honorary Degree in Fine Arts by the Pratt Institute in New York.
1973
The Order of the Golden Ark by HRH The Prince of The Netherlands for his services to conservation.
1979
Member of Honour of the World Wide Fund for Nature
The Order of the British Empire for his services to wildlife conservation. O.B.E.
1986
Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
1988
President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia awarded him with the Order of Distinguished Service.
was made a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
Honorary Doctorate of Science of Hatfield Polytechnic (now the University of Hertfordshire) in 1990.
1996
Officer (Brother) of the Order of St. John.
2004
Granted the Freedom of the City of London.
2008
Awarded a C.B.E. for services to charity and wildlife
The Artist and Conservationist.
Constantly moving, his work took him tirelessly from one continent to another.
Admired and respected by many, David Shepherd was regarded as being one of the world's leading wildlife artists.
His signed, limited edition prints can be seen in many homes throughout the world and he was always on the busy and enjoying his life to the fullest.
"I want to live to be 150. It will take that long to do everything I want to do.
I run almost everywhere I go because I am so anxious to get on with the joy of what I am doing next."

After celebrating his 70th birthday on 25th April 2001 with a fundraising dinner at the Natural History Museum,
which raised over £100,000 for wildlife projects.

He celebrated his 80th birthday with another successful fundraising dinner at the Natural History Museum,
attended by a host of celebrities and many admirers of his work.

EMAIL:- administrator@davidshepherd.com  England 01623 799 309
We will endeavour to better any quote and give you the finest possible service.
Visit the Wildlife art studio in Nottinghamshire, (Saturdays and Sundays are fine too)
We have a collection of over 500 David Shepherd signed limited edition prints and original paintings for sale.
Arrange a viewing at our studio.
 
We also specialize in signed prints by the world acclaimed artist L.S.Lowry.
The demand for his work has now reached record highs, and due to the relatively few signed limited edition prints available ,they are proving to be an excellent investment, far greater than many current banking investments.

A watercolourist, whose work needs little introduction in the world of art is Sir William Russell Flint.
We stock hundreds of this artist's signed limited edition prints and always a fine selection of his original watercolour paintings.
Throughout his life Sir William Russell Flint has spent many years painting beautiful watercolour images of scenes throughout France,
in particular Dordogne and the Perigord.
There are also a number of signed limited edition prints of paintings from Britanny, The Loire, Ardeche, Provence.
We have for sale several original paintings from the south west France, near to the beautiful towns of Brantome and Perigueux and also Languedoc
Russell Flint's work has now become regarded as some of the finest watercolour paintings in the world.