Artist’s Statement

GORDON DERBYSHIRE
Westbank, BC

Gordon Derbyshire was born in the West Kootenay town of Trail and grew up in Westbank, which he still calls home. His interest in painting started as a young man, with his formal training coming in the form of private art lessons from 13 to 16 and workshops at the Okanagan Summer School of the Arts.

The process of creating art itself has been a lifelong education. His work reflects his unique vision developed during decades of drawing and painting. Growing up in the wilds of B.C. has influenced the subjects that Gordon paints; the rugged mountains, beautiful valley, and ranch lands, along with the inhabitants both past and present. An important focus of his subject matter is the beautiful Okanagan valley where he lives and paints. Gordon worked as a professional illustrator for three decades and now devotes his full efforts to painting.

“The essence of a scene and the mood that is created from the light and colour is what I endeavour to capture in my paintings. My conscious effort is to put down only the essential brush strokes.”