Shepherd Jose is a young artist who brings characters – and entire worlds – to life through iPad-based platforms like IbisPaintX and Procreate. For nearly a decade, Shepherd has been developing a cast of original characters for an ongoing story they one day hope to publish, using art to explore identity and self-expression. Whether imagining how their characters would interact or reflecting personal experiences through them, Shepherd’s art turns everyday emotions into vivid, character-driven storytelling. Growing up in regional Australia, gumtrees and red dirt are a constant in their memory and now inspire their creative projects – including a Body of Work based on outback landscapes. As they finish their final year and prepare for a creative arts career, Shepherd looks forward to collaborating with fellow artists, celebrating local creativity and honouring the beauty of their hometown through art.