Derek Hambly
Jefferson, WI
Derek Hambly is an Australia native who began dipping brushes into paint at an early age living in Melbourne. Growing up his mother even sold his paintings as a way to pay for art supplies. After moving to the U.S. he honed in on his craft of creating bold landscapes using thick oil paints and applying it to the canvas with a knife.
Throughout his career Derek’s pieces have been purchased and placed all over the world. His bold paintings with explosions of color are now making their way to Beloit to be showcased at DEVIATE where Derek will be doing a live painting demo that you won’t want to miss. Watch his work come to life when you do something different on October 15.
october 15
How would you describe your work?
The work I submitted for this event is considered expressionistic landscape.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration from landscapes that speak to me.
How long does it take for you to do a piece from start to finish? I can usually get the main energy/composition laid down in a day or two, and then spend 1-2 weeks finishing them.
Where can we find your work? Examples of galleries, stores, and events you have been involved in. My main gallery and studio are now at home, in Jefferson WI, and this summer we're doing some Wisconsin art festivals. So far we've been to Art Fair off the Square in Madison, in the lakes fairs in Williams Bay and Oconomowoc, a driving artist studio tour, Earth Wood and Fire Artists Tour at the end of October, and the final show for the year is Winter Art Fair off the Square, on Monona Terrace in Madison. At this time I'm represented at B-Framed Gallery in Eau Claire and Steve Martin Studios in New Orleans.
Is this your full-time job? If so, where do you work? Yes, this is my full time job. My studio/gallery is home, in my remodeled garage and we call it The Galleraage.
What are your future goals for your pieces? I like to work in series. I just finished several studies of a subject and have my mind on a new idea for the next series. I recently started the first one.
What is your background? I studied fine art at Monash University in Melbourne, AU from 1962-67. It was clear from the time I was a kid that I was meant to do this. Along the way my mother was able to sell every painting I ever did in school, to pay for supplies. In 1969 I had my first professional show and have had shows year after year.
What do you want us to know about your art, your design, or anything at all
I've been painting since the 60’s and have developed a style all my own, very original, and by using thick lush oil paint, applied with a knife, it's able to create mood and movement. I used to try to boss my paint around and make it do what I wanted, but in the past year or two, the paint bosses me around, and tells me where it wants to go.
What are you most excited about for DEVIATE? I plan to do a live painting demo, and if this summer's shows are any indication, people love watching.