Mike Shepley

Mike Shepley is an Andrew Grant scholar and graduate of Edinburgh College of Art, where he studied architecture (1961-1967) under Sir Ralph Cowan. Mike’s keen interest in art was nurtured by his father, Clifford, who graduated from ECA in 1935, becoming Principal of the Department of Medical Illustration at Edinburgh University. With an interest in painting, Mike interacted with fellow contemporary Edinburgh College of Art students, including John Bellany, Sandy Moffat, Gordon Bryce and Bill Gillon. An invitation from fellow architectural student Alistair Macdonald resulted in summer work with Sinclair Macdonald and Son, Thurso, Caithness. Friendship with Alan Pendreigh flourished and was inspirational on group projects. Two years invaluable work experience with Campbell & Arnott, Haddington influenced much of Mike’s later later endeavours.

In 1967, Mike joined Crudens Musselburgh Research and Design department, later appointed a group leader working directly under Deputy Chief Architect, Fraser Bowman. Ken Lochhead, friend and fellow group leader, retired to concentrate on his wonderful miniature watercolours.

In 1976, Mike formed Forth Design Associates: Architectural commissions include The Illicit Still, Tollcross, David Rankin, Charles Wilson Butchers, St John’s Road and The Banks, South Queensferry. Mike purchased and extended Butlaw Lodge Cottage at Society, South Queensferry as a family home for his wife Ruth and two young sons, completed in 1972.

In 1982, Mike visited the Persian/Arabian Gulf and Dubai at the invitation of journalist friend Ian Bain to film an Hotel: it opened a new chapter which has never really closed. As a director-cameraman and television media producer, Mike covered the hospitality business and rapidly growing tourism, sporting and oil development onshore and offshore. His multi-media production work increasingly focussed on natural history, endangered wildlife, environmental assessment, archaeology, and the traditions and people of the region. Mike and his wife Cheryl returned to Scotland in 2013 and live in Edinburgh.

Mike continues to donate paintings on a regular basis to various charities. He is a passionate member of the SSAA, regularly exhibiting with Ligne et Couleur in France, Italy, Germany, Poland and Scotland.

Mike Shepley’s catalogue resume is available on request. mikeshepley@virginmedia.com

EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS

Galleria La Vetrina, Venice Esposizione Internazionale degli Architetti Artisti 2025
International Kunst-Ausstellung im Kulturbunker Stuttgart 2025
Scottish Arts Club SSAA Exhibition 2025
Ligne et Couleur International Exhibition Stuttgart Town Hall 2024

Marine Mammal Conservation stamps commissioned by the UAE Postal Authority:
Common dolphin, Dugong, Hump-backed whale
DIAC Dubai International Art Centre Gold Medal 
DIAC Watercolour Challenge Winner Royal Mirage, Dubai 
DIAC Dubai International Art Centre Judges Award: Sons of Sinbad/ Spice Islands 
Burj al Arab Joint exhibition with engineer/ Lebanese artist Mounir Lakkis
Al Khaleej and Beyond: Launch Exhibitions Abu Dhabi & Dubai 
Annual Exhibition Sharjah Cultural Foundation, UAE 
Sheraton on the Creek Dubai: Monthly Exhibitions - Cheryl and Mike Shepley
Marine survey marine fish for the Ruler HH Shk Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Glasgow Art Club Billiard Room SAC Exhibition 4-25 May, 2017
Glasgow Art Club Gallery SSAA Exhibition
Members and SSAA Exhibitions Scottish Art Club
Riverside Restaurant and Gallery Abbey Saint Bathans, Berwickshire
Duns Castle: Private View and Exhibition invited artists    
Solo Exhibition Bridge Hotel, Helmsdale
‘Boowuzzies & Scootchers’ Solo Exhibition Geddes Gallery SAC 2015-Jan 2016
‘Upstairs’ at the historic J&G Innes, St Andrews

SSAA Festival of Architecture -The Vital Art 2016
Mefan Gallery Forfar, SAC Edinburgh, RGI Kelly Gallery Glasgow, Smith Gallery Stirling. Dunfermline Fire Service Creative.

PUBLICATIONS

Al Khaleej and Beyond - Peter Lawrence and Mike Shepley
Through the Eyes of an Artist - Trevor Waugh
Falconry - Christian Gross David Remple
Natural Emirates - Peter Vine Arabic/ English
Those were the Days - Journals of Dubai 2007 Shanaz Pakravan 

FILMS

Hooked on Scotland - BBC series presented by Paul Young, 
Written co-directed by Mike Shepley, producer and co-director Ricky Walker

Catch our Good Nature - Manitoba Government Travel
Atikameg - (Cree Indian for Clear Water) Saskatchewan and CGOT
Go Barbless - Manitoba Government Travel/ CGOT/ Winfield
Greenland Adventure - Danish Tourist Board
Three of a Kind - Bord Failte/ Shakespeare 
Return to Paradise - Bord Failte/ Winfield

Dubai Absolutely - Ian Bain Mike Shepley 1982
Capture the Flame DUGAS Arabic/ English 1983
Dubai Gateway to the Gulf - Motivate Publishing
Abu Dhabi Garden City - Motvate Publishing

Abu Dhabi Sunshine - Abu Dhabi National Hotels
Abu Dhabi Airport - Abu Dhabi Government
Abu Dhabi Island Surveys - Presenter Peter Hellier for CNN, BBC, ABU DHABI TV
Sir Bani Yas - ADIAS Peter Hellier & Simon Aspinall 

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