Raised in a small town in New Jersey, Rich Shepherd was always amazed early on by craftsman, cabinet makers, blacksmiths, glass blowers and potters. Since he was very young, he has always been captivated by these people’s talents. The ability to take a piece of media and before your eyes transform it into first, a functional object, and with more manipulation, it becomes pleasing the eye, "art". A self-taught artist, Rich’s first passion – working with wood – was very gratifying, pieces mostly for family and friends. Then in the late 1980s, he started mixing basic iron with wood. This developed into a great passion for iron, so he then focused more on the iron aspects. Now using mostly iron, he believes that he brings art to functionality. Rich’s hopes are that you can look at his work, and perhaps, step back from life for a moment, spark a memory, or invoke a desire.