Andy Sheppard was born in Pembroke, West Wales, in 1965. At 16 he started a three-year apprenticeship with Heron Pottery, after which he was employed as a production thrower by a number of potteries where he developed a range of techniques.  He is particularly interested in body casting and sculpture, using raku firing.

In 1990 Andy Sheppard started his own gallery/workshop in Wales, and then in 1997 he moved to Cork, West Ireland, where he created pottery for studios and galleries throughout Ireland. Although he is currently living in Cornwall, he has maintained strong links in both Ireland and Wales.