A creative mind constantly spinning out new ideas and paintings can sum up Art Shumaker, the first place winner of Henry County Arts Council's Adult Juried Art Show in April 2005.

Art first started doing art at a very young age drawing cartoon characters.  After awhile, he started drawing about anything.  He was offered an art scholarship in high school, but he turned it down because he wanted to do art for pleasure-not as a job.  After graduating from Napoleon High School, he worked for cable TV in Napoleon for thirty-five years before retiring. 

He used to draw designs on demolition cars for the derby, with all kinds of creatures on them.  He said most years he would do one a summer for his brother during his vacation time.  He started doing signs for people when he was about sixteen, including wedding banners for Willeman's flowers and signs for Carson Industry.  Many of his signs were done with air brushing because he liked the effects you could get from using this method. 

Art always thought through the years that when he retired he would advertise to do small signs on the side.  But, about six years ago he spotted a Thomas Kinkade painting in the paper and wondered how close he could come to doing one like it.  So, he started doing landscapes based upon Kinkade pictures.  Ever since he has more satisfaction in this style of painting.  But, he found that he liked creating his own pictures rather than using someone else's as the basis of his painting.  He says he likes at times to put areas of light in his own creations similar to what Kinkade does.  He is anxious to see the next step and is constantly thinking of different pictures he can create.  We're just as anxious to see his next creation!