Derek Penix is an American painter born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1980.
“I never want to be stuck painting only one way or only one subject matter. Variety is what is exciting.”
He sold his first painting immediately after high school and knew painting was his calling. He studied under Quang Ho and C.W. Mundy, who helped him understand blocking in and eye flow. He has won awards in almost 100 national competitions and was named the most awarded artist in the country by ArtDataIntel in 2021. He currently lives and works in Laguna Beach, California.
- Born December 29, 1980, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- Self-taught; never attended art school.
- Mentored by Quang Ho and C.W. Mundy.
- Most awarded artist in the US as of 2021.
- Currently lives in Laguna Beach, California.
He works primarily in oil on Claussens canvas, using a simple palette of warm and cool primary and secondary colors.
He mostly paints in the studio, though he plans to paint more plein air in Laguna Beach. He does not create thumbnails, instead working from photos he has taken. His work is known for strong visual pathways without a central focal point.
He teaches workshops across the country and is a member of the Oil Painters of America and the American Impressionist Society. He admires Richard Diebenkorn and is increasingly interested in abstraction.
“Learn how you see as a person and understand believability more than realism. Learn what’s important to paint and what is not needed.”
