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John Shaw brought back memories with striking images. 'Remember When' featured classic automobiles.
RIGHT: Shaw titles this work 'He's Alive; I'm Forgiven.'
John Shaw was found dead in his home Sunday. This 2008 photo shows him at King George's Shiloh Baptist Church.
ABOVE: This Shaw painting is titled 'Portrait of a Lab.' |
By CATHY DYSON
The day after well-known wildlife artist John Shaw was found dead in his King George County home, those who appreciated his talent--and giving nature--mourned the loss.
"He was a wonderful artist, particularly of wildlife and dogs," said Dee McCleskey of King George. "He was well-liked personally. He had a nice way about him, and the community knew him well."
Shaw, 67, was found dead in his home, off State Route 3 several miles east of King George Courthouse, Sunday afternoon. Relatives hadn't gotten an official police report, but believe he died of natural causes, said George Shaw, John Shaw's oldest brother.
John Shaw was an active member of the King George Church of God, and when he didn't show up at church Sunday--or pick up another family as he usually did--a member went to his home, said Pastor Lance Bacon.
Bacon's wife, Crystal, talked with Shaw on Wednesday, and another church member called on Thursday, but didn't reach him. The pastor believes Shaw may have died Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
He had a touch of walking pneumonia, Bacon said, and had mentioned he was feeling tired. His family didn't know of other ailments.
"He was in much better health than any of us," his brother said.
Angela Sawdy, his neighbor, said Shaw looked great a week ago when he came by her house.
"If I hadn't known him, I would never have guessed his age," she said. "He was very trim and active."
Like others interviewed, Sawdy had only positive things to say about the man who had been her neighbor about 10 years.
"He's one of the best human beings I've ever met in my life," she said. "He's going to be missed terribly."
In the art world, Shaw was known for his realism and detail. He learned a few basics in a correspondence course, but was self-taught for the most part.
He painted all his life--and worked a day job until 1982. That's when he decided to quit his job, tracking satellites for the military, and focus on foxes and geese, tranquil scenes and nostalgic images.
His paintings have appeared in Virginia Wildlife Magazine and on waterfowl stamps, calendars and birdseed bags, according to a 2008 story in The Free Lance-Star.
His best-selling pieces were probably of black Labradors, said Omar Quillen, who displays his work at Mount Airy Gallery of Fine Arts in West Virginia.
"Just about everybody I ever ran into liked his stuff," Quillen said. "I just really liked the guy, he had so much talent."
Even people who didn't typically purchase art would buy a John Shaw print every two years or so, said McCleskey, who's also an artist in King George.
Phil Hayden sells tickets for the annual dinner and auction put on by Ducks Unlimited's Fredericksburg chapter--and Shaw was a big part of that function.
He was a longtime member who always donated prints for the auction.
"He was a true staple of our event and had been for many years," Hayden said.
In the last decade, which his brother called "the best years of his life," Shaw used his talent to help others.
Shaw became a Christian and got involved with the Church of God's benevolence fund, which helped those in need. He donated several cars to people and bought--and repaired--a trailer, which the church rents out to needy families.
"He was a very giving person," said his nephew, James Shaw.
Shaw also painted his first religious scene, a 3- by 5-foot piece called "He's Alive; I'm Forgiven." He often talked with his pastor as he painted, making sure the 40 different biblical events he depicted, including the crucifixion of Jesus, were accurate.
"That painting was so very close to his heart," Bacon said.
The original hangs in the King George Church of God. Shaw also sold almost 500 copies of it.
"Every print he sold, he gave all the money back to the benevolence ministry to help with food, clothing, to meet the needs of people," Bacon said. "That was just John. That was his spirit, and that was his legacy."
Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Email: cdyson@freelancestar.com
