statement

Painting and drawing allows me to record my observations of people and life experiences.  I place myself and my friends as subject matter in these rendered scenarios.  

My work describes the appearance of these individuals quite literally, but the narrative is often veiled through the use of symbolism.  Each object in the surrounding environment acts as an important character in the underlying drama of these compositions.  In addition, subtly observed body language adds to the resulting content of the work.  

Although my subjects are very specific, the situations I choose to depict may be universally interpreted.  Like a relationship with a person, much can be understood about the piece upon first glance, but more is revealed as the relationship is sustained.  

bio

born: 1980, McMinnville, Oregon

education

Arizona State University, MFA, 2006
Washington State University, BFA, 2002

selected awards/honors

Best in Show, Richeson 75: International Art Competition Figure/Portrait 2011, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, Wisconsin, 2011
Best in Show, 2010 National Pastel Exhibition, MidAmerica Pastel Society, Irene B. French Gallery of Art, Merriam, Kansas, 2010
First Place Award in Other Media Category, Lancaster County Art Association National Juried Exhibition, Lancaster County Art Association, Strasburg, Pennsylvania, 2010
Patron Purchase Award, Watercolor U.S.A. 2010, Springfield Art Museum, Springfield, Missouri, 2010

selected publications

Catalog of Juried Exhibition, Observed, Manifest Creative Research Gallery & Drawing Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, p. 33, 34, 35, 2011
Catalog of Juried Exhibition, Americas 2011: Paperworks Exhibition, Northwest Art Center, Minot State University, Minot, North Dakota, p. 23, 2011
Catalog of Juried Exhibition, 2010 National Pastel Exhibition, MidAmerica Pastel Society, Irene B. French Gallery of Art, Merriam, Kansas, p. 23, 24, 2010
Catalog of Juried Exhibition, PINNACLE: National Juried Art Competition, Foster Tanner Fine Arts Center, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, Florida, p. 20, 2009

selected solo or two-person exhibits

Derek Wilkinson: Recent Work, Six Squared, Mesa, Arizona, 2008
Portraits, Shemer Art Center and Museum, Phoenix, Arizona, 2008
SELF-EMULATION, Harry Wood Gallery, Tempe, Arizona, 2006

selected group shows

25th Annual McNeese National Works on Paper Exhibition, Abercrombie Gallery, Lake Charles, Lousiana, 2012
Painting Only: National Competition and Exhibition, Pacific Art League, Palo Alto, California, 2012
33rd Annual Paper in Particular National Exhibition, Columbia College, Columbia, Missouri, 2012
Observed, Manifest Creative Research Gallery & Drawing Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2011