Echinacea (Cone Flowers) (2017) Painting by Chris Derrick

I am a self-taught painter, working mainly with soft pastels and oils. Having started painting at evening classes over forty years ago, I have maintained my interest and enjoy working on a variety of subjects. This keeps my mind active and prevents boredom. My pictures tend to be representational when working at a smaller scale. I am happy to paint still life, flowers and landscape, with a special fondness for scenes with water, clouds and strong light contrasts.
My favourite places are coasts, moorland and riverbanks, where I can watch the movements of wildlife, water and sky.
In 2020 I laid aside my normal realistic approach and did a complete U-turn, choosing to experiment with abstract patterns. The following year I brought the abstract work to a close and returned to my usual subjects; as 2022 begins I am working on pastels again and, surprisingly, discovering a fresh outlet for my semi-retired acrylic paints. I also now paint while listening to music (wearing headphones), which helps me to stop over-analysing my work whilst I paint; the left side of the brain is occupied with the music whilst the right side gets on with the artwork.

• Nationality: UNITED KINGDOM
• Date of birth : 1955
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary British Artists