Q&A – Questions & Artists – Derek Davis

“Through the Trees” by Derek Davis.

I first saw one of Derek Davis’ paintings on Facebook. Interested by the work I followed up reading about his incredible success this summer competing in various plein air competitions throughout the Midwest.

Davis received awards in all ten of the competitions he participated in. If you have competed in these events like I have you know what a great achievement this was!

Randy Rasmussen (RR): Derek, where were you born and raised?

Derek Davis (DD): I was born in Billings, Montana. I went to school in Billings and attended college in what was at that time called Eastern Montana College. It is now called University Montana Billings.

RR: Did you study art in college?

DD: I essentially studied music. I was in different bands playing blues and rock. It was that time of life.

RR: I think I read that your father and mother were artists?

“Light on the Dock” by Derek Davis.

DD: My dad was primarily a sculptor but also a painter. My preschool days were spent mostly with my father in his studio watching him work, cleaning brushes and seeing and talking to the various artists that came by his studio. I had access to clay and acrylic paint at an early age.

RR: What was it like growing up in an artistic home?

DD: The encouragement was great. I really enjoyed drawing and my father gave me a book called Drawing With The Right Side Of the Brain. I spent at least ten years just drawing and I think this has helped me become a better painter.

RR: When did you decide you wanted to become an artist?

DD: It wasn’t just one moment. I evolved into it. I started out doing watercolors and I thought I had become proficient in the medium. I enjoyed the process of trying to show not just the scene but the air, the temperature, the wind.

Jeanne Dobie’s book really influenced me along with Tony Couch and Charles Reid’s books. I had a job that gave me time to paint several hours a day.

I was in Idaho for two months and painted 115 watercolors. Very good watercolors. I took them to a gallery in Sand Point and the owner said they were very good, but people didn’t buy watercolors. I decided I did have the talent but I needed to change mediums.

“Garden Light” by Derek Davis.

RR: How did you end up living in the Midwest?

DD: My wife was from Wisconsin and my children live in the Midwest. My studio is in Minnesota and I actually am in a studio and gallery co-op.

RR: Specifically what artists influenced your work?

DD: Earlier I mentioned Jeanne Dobie, Charles Reid and Tony Couch; also Charles Hawthorne, Henry Hensche and then of course, Edgar Whitney.

RR: Derek, how would you describe your work?

DD: I paint from life, principally plein air. Each painting done in the open air is an experience – the birds, the wind, the cold air – each time it is different.

RR: And your favorite medium is?

DD: I do paintings in oil but I am experimenting with Golden O acrylics.

RR: Describe for the readers your successful year competing in plein air competitions.

“New Friends” by Derek Davis.

DD: I had a neck injury early this year and it gave me time to paint in plein air competitions. This year I won awards in every competition I entered. It was gratifying and I will be out again next year.

RR: Do you have a favorite place to paint?

DD: I really enjoy painting in several parks near my home. The light is ever changing and it is always a challenge to capture the moment.

RR: This is the final question. Why do you think art is important?

DD: Historically, it is not important. Actually I think the art that may be considered historically important now would be films. I think on a personal level art, painting, is important. It is the ultimate form of individual expression.

RR: Thank you.

To learn more about Davis and view more of his work, visit derikdavisstudio.com.