Featured Artist

Clark Derbes - interviewed by Caroline Derbes

Former LAAG member, Clark Derbes, now lives in Vermont with his artist-wife, Wylie Sophia Garcia, and their young son. From his first sale, Derbes has been determined to create a sustainable career from his art practice. He makes art every day, and "painter's block" does not exist for him. He and his wife split parenting as well as studio time. They also share housework and meal-prep so that they can juggle careers and family.

His work is constantly evolving as he feels that it is good to be free and not to get too constrained. He follows his intuition to choose various subjects or create non-representational works. By painting stylistic portraits and landscape paintings, he satisfies his artistic longings; however, he does tend to focus on what sells at the moment. Derbes enjoys observing people's responses to his work. He tries not to give titles that would influence perception of the work. He prefers that his audience arrive at an understanding of his work through a non-verbal perspective.

Derbes's present method of learning is to check out many library books. Influential artists have included Keith Haring, Sol Lewitt, and Jean duBuffet. He studies art history and enjoys perusing gallery websites.

Derbes studied color theory with Beverly Dudley (who studied under Ron Lukas in the Russian Impressionistic style). Clark also credits LSU Professor Ed Smith for allowing him to explore at his own pace, not only without much interference, but also with much positive reinforcement: "My professors realized I was extremely self-motivated and self-directed."

"Actually, I would say my mom gave me self-confidence by teaching me right-brain lessons when I was 9-years old. I was never fearful after that." At the time, Clark had already been accepted into both the Gifted and the Talented Art Programs.

Becoming a father has influenced a change in media from oils and encaustics to acrylic-based pieces and collages which he could work on at home. When commissioned to carve a totem pole for Camp Keewaydin, he became fascinated with chain-saw sculpting. He now creates modern polygonal shapes using this method.

Derbes and his art have been featured in Louisiana's 225, Country Roads, and Vermont's Seven Days. He is represented by Ann Connelly Fine Arts, The Schoolhouse Gallery in Provincetown, and is having a November show at Redbud Gallery in Houston. Check out his works by Googling "clarkderbes" and his recent online project called Clark's Public Art School www.publicartschool.com. His work can also be seen on youtube.com and www.clarkderbes.wordpress.com.