Wild Poppy (2012) Painting by Christine Derrick

Born in 1955, in England, UK; Christine has been involved with art circles since the age of 17, when joining her first art classes. Starting with oils and working entirely with the local Somerset landscape, Christine has gone on to produce work also in pastels, acrylics, gouache, coloured pencil and acrylic inks. During a spell in the mid-90's of severe back problems, Christine began working with subject material close to home....in the garden. This led on to a steady run of some four years painting floral subjects almost exclusively, although is now being balanced with more landscape work, due to a rise in general interest.

Christine has had no formal art education. Her background is in scientific, technical and analytical laboratory work, operating with precise instruction and requiring sharp observation. Some of this spills over into the artwork (close-up florals, for example), but in spite of this Christine actually prefers looser work. She likes oils best of all, for working with, but acrylics have also proved successful. She uses soft pastels for most of her landscape studies, more often now than oils. Work style varies between traditional and semi-abstract, with most landscape pictures assigned to traditional. Her close-up floral work brings in elements of larger-than-life, abstract shapes and flowing colours.

It was not until 2003 that Christine decided to start accepting commissions, and since then she has completed over 15 assignments for private buyers; all UK based. Most of these have been oils or acrylics on canvas, and for living-rooms, bedrooms and small business offices. Although she is taking a break from painting during much of 2007, she plans to be more active again during the autumn and onwards. Despite not having a dedicated studio for her painting, Christine works comfortably in her own home and sells the majority of her work online.

General History:

1974... Started art classes, first pictures exhibited and sold the following year;

1979... Shared local exhibition with three artists;

1980... First successful entries to Royal Bath and West Art Show;

1980 onwards... Support of various local exhibitions involved in charity fundraising;

1996... Start of flower painting, production and sale of first floral pictures;

1997... Joined S.A.A (Society of All Artists) UK.

1999... First website created, called Cottagegallery (now closed);

2000 onwards...creation of second website; reintroduction of more landscape pictures;

2001... Local Best In Show Award for "Seaton Beach" landscape pastel painting;

2003... Repeat Local Best In Show Award for "Purple Autumn" floral pastel painting; also successful sales from two other online galleries ;

2004... Third repeat Local Best In Show Award for "Storm Run, Chew Lake", landscape pastel painting; several works commissioned via website.

2005-2006... Step-up in commission work, undertaking more oil and acrylic floral paintings for private buy...

• Nationality: UNITED KINGDOM
• Date of birth : unknown date
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary British Artists