   | About the Artist… As a native of middle Georgia, Derek has always had an avid interest in art. As a young child, his father would entertain him by drawing, and his mother was always involved in some type of art project. Derek’s natural artistic ability began showing up early on in school; his teachers would think he was interested in what was being taught, but in truth, he would be doodling all over any paper in front of him. He continued to foster his artistic ability throughout high school with cartooning for the school newspaper, backdrops for dramas, etc. As an art marketing major in college, he had his first introduction to pottery. It was during this time period that he experimented with many different types of art mediums, but he knew he found a medium in clay he was comfortable with and enjoyed. Upon graduation with a bachelor’s degree, Derek went on to be employed as a successful graphic artist for 21 years. During that time he continued many artistic projects on the side; cartooning for a science series, illustrating a children’s book, and designing numerous corporate logos, t-shirts, etc. Also, during this time he pursued and obtained his master’s degree. In his early forties, and after his third child was born, his wife signed him up for a class in pottery that was being offered at the local college. It was at this point that Derek’s love for pottery re-emerged, and he knew that he would want to make this one of his main artistic focuses from now on. His favorite escape, next to hunting, is to have his hands in pottery. His ideas run rampant, and he’s always ready to get them off his mind and into clay. His work is heavily influenced by his love for the outdoors and his past cartooning experience. Derek’s focus is aligned with the Georgia Pottery Folk Art tradition. Thus far, he’s been in several shows such as the Georgia Jug Fest in Knoxville (Crawford County), and he has received numerous comments that his jugs are both expressive and detailed. |
724 Daisy Adams Road • Cochran Georgia 31014
