Is it art work--or a football play diagram?

(Click on photo for larger image)

If you're looking at one of the latest artworks by Decorah artist Tom Sheppard, you might be forgiven for thinking you've seen it before.

"Hey, wait a minute--isn't that a diagram of a football play?" you might ask.  Or, if you're really knowledgeable about football, you might ask, "Hey--isn't that a diagram of a Decorah football play?"

Yes, Sheppard's latest project has been to take football plays used by the Vikings and turn them into works of art.  In fact, he'll have a showing of his new paintings in downtown La  Crosse at the Grand River Station at 315 Third Street South, starting this Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

Sheppard taught art and coached girls' basketball at the Decorah Community Schools for several years but is now retired and dedicates his time to his studio. 

He uses abstract techniques and methods of painting but adds the diagrams as well as a bit of reality as a contrast, usually in the form of a meticulously rendered pen or pencil that appears to lie on the surface of the work. 

Yes, many of the works feature plays used by the 2012 State Championship Decorah High Vikings football team, but that's OK--Sheppard says he's gotten the approval of the Decorah football coaches.

And the paintings are a little abstract, anyway.  For instance, the painting above shows 12 Decorah Vikings on offense and eight defenders.  That would be a very powerful football play!

(The show at the Grand River Station in La Crosse runs through January 18th.  To view the work at times other than the opening, please call Ellen Kallies of the State Street Gallery at (608) 386-0597.  Sheppard will also have an exhibit of his painting at the Pump House in La Crosse this winter)