In Shoemaker's work, the viewer might find themselves in a small world of formalized space and deep pools of color. The depth of these pools is created through Shoemaker's skill with his encaustic, a paint made from beeswax in which pigments may be added to color the wax. He collages the encaustic together with dyed papers and fabrics.

"I long ago gave up trying to assure that the viewer interpret my work exactly as I do," Shoemaker says. "Suffice it to say that one of my core beliefs is that all art is spiritual." With this, he allows the viewer freedom to take in these pieces as they will, yet he makes known that the spiritual is present. This can be seen through his series of six Prayer Flags. With this, these pieces could be meditations, or prayers spoken through color.