In a scene reminiscent of Michelangelo painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Baton Rouge-based artist Sam Shepard perched atop a scaffolding Friday putting the finishing touches on his version of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” in Hawkins United Methodist Church.

Shepard, 84, never thought of himself as much of an artist – he’d painted a little in high school and later during downtime while a pilot in the Navy – but in retirement he started looking for something to fill his time. He and his wife, Peggy, took a trip to Europe for their 50th wedding anniversary where he was inspired by the sculptures and paintings of renowned Renaissance artists and when they returned home he headed to the workshop.

“One day I was in my workshop fooling around with this foam board and I said ‘Well maybe I can carve something,’” he said.

His piece, made entirely of foam insulation board, is actually the second one he’s made. The first, which is slightly larger, went to his church in Baton Rouge, but after an experience with Hawkins almost a year ago Shepard decided he wanted to custom build one for the church.

After his wife passed away 10 months ago, Shepard was understandably lost and “went through a pretty strong grieving period.” He made a trip to Vicksburg, where his daughter Julie Townley is a member of Hawkins, and they came by the church’s drive-through prayer service.

“I’m 30 days away from the loss of Peggy, and they said a little prayer with me, and it helped a whole lot,” he said tearfully. “I owe these people.”

Following the trip, Shepard was determined to do something to repay them, but wasn’t sure how. One day while at McDonald’s getting breakfast he stepped into the bathroom to wash his hands and encountered a homeless man rinsing off in the sink. The man asked for help with breakfast, which Shepard agreed to, and they began talking about the recent loss of his wife.

“I told him that if I’d had my choice, I’d have gone with her. But then he said ‘The Lord has more work for you to do,’” he said. “I’m not what you’d call a deeply religious person – I’m a pretty flawed outfit I think – but that was pretty moving.”

Once again he got to work on the da Vinci classic using a dremel and an emery board to chisel through foam board right in his kitchen, which was soon coated in pink foam and sawdust. About eight weeks later the replica was completed and ready to be displayed.

“Obviously I had experience after doing the first one, so I think this one turned out a little better,” Shepard said. “I got a little bit more detail into it.”

He brought the carving from Baton Rouge in two pieces, and once he got it in the church he mounted them together and blended the juncture seamlessly. The carving is hung in the lobby area of the church, and is meant to serve as a memorial to his wife. Shepard couldn’t think of a better place to have the homage to his wife, he said, especially after they helped him so much through his grieving process.

“This church is so good, it’s what a church ought to be.”