Following a very satisfying career in graphics, which included graphic design, illustrating, cartooning, photography and the supervision of production of publications and multimedia presentations, A. D. Shaw, in 1984, made the plunge into the world of fulltime gallery painter.
All the dreams and expectations of being a fulltime artist and taking the creative process one step further became a reality for Shaw as he was now able to spend each day, all day, doing the thing he loves so much - painting. From his local gallery representation in Salt Lake City he was soon able to expand to galleries in other states which includes the CODA gallery in southern California.
Early on, a gallery owner advised him to concentrate on one subject. He elected not to take this advise, preferring to paint a variety of subjects: the agrarian work scene both past and present, period paintings of man and his automobile, human relationships caught in the simple happenings of everyday life, the cowboy and the pioneer, an occasional wildlife picture and the incredible beauties of nature depicted in pure landscapes. He is both a studio and plein air painter.
In 1995 A.D., with his wife Ina Lee, sold their home in the Salt Lake area and returned to their roots in the great Uintah Basin of northeastern Utah. Their new home and studio is on a hilltop in the farming community of Montwell ten miles north of the small town of Roosevelt. Their view includes the farms where they grew up.
Over the years Shaw has received his share of accolades. He has been a purchase award recipient at a number of art museum shows: the LDS Art Museum International Show; Eccles Art Center, Ogden Utah; Springville Museum of Art, Springville Utah; and the Dixie Invitational Art Show in St George Utah. In 1997 he received the Governor's Mansion Art Medallion from the Governor of Utah. In 1998 he was selected the Featured Artist at the Days of '47 annual art show. The Dixie Invitational Art Show in 1999 bestowed upon him the title of Honorary Chairman. The Springville Museum of Art was an official venue of the 2002 Winter Olympics, hosting the Olympics art show. A.D. was elected one of the One Hundred Most Honored Artists of Utah. He has been published a number of times including the International Fine Art magazine. He has participated in numerous group, two artist and one man shows.
In 1996 as part of the centennial celebration of Utah's statehood Governor Michael Leavitt commissioned A.D. to paint "Keeper of the Flame". This painting was on dozens of billboards throughout the state and was used to illustrate a brochure sent to every student.
Shaw took some time off from his gallery painting to do paintings for newly constructed LDS temples in northern Mexico and western USA during the year of 2001.
His work can be found in private collections such as George and Barbara Bush, and corporate collections throughout the United States, Asia and Europe.
A.D. and Ina are parents of five children, thirteen grandchildren and a dozen great grandchildren (so far).
