Derek Deyoung

ABOUT DEREK

Derek DeYoung was born on a bayou near the shores of Lake Michigan where his love of fishing was ignited. Over the years his art has veered from the classical fishing art, placing more importance on using a unique style and palette. Using oil paints on canvas, he artfully captures all the subtle intricacies fish possess; their patterns, dimension and texture. In his artwork DeYoung is constantly pushing the limits by painting fish in beautiful and original ways.

TIMELINE
1990

In The Beginning

Ever since I can remember, my connection to the world and the people around me has been through my artwork. I was an average student at best in a family of overachievers academically, but my ability to draw and paint always kept my mom from worrying about me too much.

1990

“The Artist”

From the very beginning I was known as “The Artist”. When I’d meet someone new at school, I’d say, “I’m an artist”, and they would say, “Oh, I know who you are, I’ve seen your artwork hanging in the hallway.

It was that way in 1st grade, and it was that way as a senior in college at Kendall College of Art and Design. The first compliment my wife ever gave me when we met at a party was that she liked my artwork.

1996

Growing As An Artist

Strange how you can become what you do, but that seems to be the case here. It has been a good thing for the most part, but with it comes with some suffering too. I’m tortured by my paintings that don’t go well. I toss and turn in my sleep when things aren’t going well in the studio. On the other hand, the satisfaction I get from finishing a great painting is immeasurable. It keeps me working hard, striving to grow as an artist.

1996
2000
2000

Supportive People In Every Direction

Many people are surprised by the success I’ve had so far running DeYoung Studio, as it is a struggle for most artists to create artwork and run a good business. My secret is the people around me. I find supportive people in every direction, and they step up to help me in the ways I need help most. My wife deserves most of the credit for giving me the drive to work hard and to build a future for us. Without her encouragement, I would probably be satisfied having a few paintings hung up at a local coffee shop, and spend the majority of my time chasing Trout and Steelies.

The Biggest Fan Any Kid Could Have

“My Dad, Gordy has been the biggest fan any kid could have. He took great pains to come down to my early summer art shows and teach me the tricks to being a good salesman.

My father-in-law John had me working on custom commission paintings at all times for the first few years of business, just keeping us afloat as we were starting things up.

My mom, being the most academic minded in our house, had a hard time sending her youngest to art school knowing how tough this world can be.

2004
2004

The Turning Point

My career as an artist has had a couple big turning points that has brought me from the stereotypical “starving artist” to having a thriving art career that both my wife and I work full time at.

During my four years in art school, it seemed apparent that they might want the student
body to be prepared for failure. The professors would refer to the one or two that might make it as an artist in the real world. They described the jobs out in that real world as few and far between with all the artists competing for it and willing to do it for very little money. It seemed like they might be prodding us to consider a plan B.

Get Out There And Try

“A couple nights later I made a phone call to my Dad. I told him that I was reconsidering my degree. What he said that day I still consider to be one of the most important conversations in my life. He told me “You’ve known that you were going to be an artist since you were a little kid, Derek, this is all you’ve ever wanted. Now is the time to take a chance on making that dream come true. You’ve got your whole life to take whatever job you need to and take care of all your responsibilities. But now, while you’re young, is when you have got to go for the gusto! You have to go after your dreams and do your best to make it. If you don’t try now you will always wonder what if for the rest of your life.”

When I hung up the phone my entire outlook had changed. I no longer felt the weight of the world on my shoulders to make it as an artist, I knew I had to get out there and try. And that’s just what I did.

2014
2014

Making It

After a few years of spending my summer weekends doing local juried art shows, I started branching out a bit and did the Midwest Fly Fishing Show in Warren, near Detroit, Michigan. Although it was very expensive for us to do at the time, it was far and away the best show that I’d done.

I started to understand that my main clients were in the fly fishing world. The next big show was the retailer show in Denver, Colorado and I decided to put every penny into getting there and making it happen.

Even though my booth was the most rag tag one there, the show was a complete success! I had people coming in and out of my booth all day long for the three days of the show. Magazine publishers, owners of famous fly fishing companies, and other top level executives. People seemed genuinely interested in my unique way of portraying fish and fly fishing. My work was voted “Best of What’s New in Fly Fishing”. I walked away from that show feeling more confident than I ever had.”

Capturing It All On Canvas

“Derek’s art directly reflects his joy and enthusiasm for fishing and the outdoors. He studies his subject matter and gets inspired when he is in nature. Then he comes back to the studio and tries to capture it all on canvas.” -Janell DeYoung

See awesome videos of Derek’s fishing adventures and paintings on Vimeo