Wednesday, March 18, 2009

A Soldier Finds Therapy in Creating Beautiful Watercolors ~ Meet The Boardwalk Artist Series ~ Featured Artist ~ Derek McCrea


Derek McCrea is a US Army Infantry Combat Soldier with two tours in Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division, and this is his stress relief. He has always loved to paint; it allows him to express emotions on paper and relax. Derek paints in a whimsical impressionistic style in plein air settings. He was born in Albany, Georgia on February 19, 1969. He presently resides with his wife, Sheila, of 20 years and his two sons. He first started painting with oils in the summer of 1984. From 1985 to 1986 he painted under the instruction of Jimmy Peterson, a well known artist from Georgia. In 1986 he won 1st place in the Georgia Arts Exhibition.

Derek joined the United States Army in 1987 and continued self study and painting on landscape subjects in France, Holland, Germany, Italy and Hungary, painting in the plein air style. He has completed over 20 commissions in the past year. His works were most recently placed in the Shoppes on Madison in historic Douglas GA, and at Artsy's on the River Street in historic Savannah Georgia.

Derek has donated several artworks to non-profit and charitable organizations in the past: February 2007 to Christian Mission Hospital for HIV children run by Joyce Meyer Ministries in India, silent auction for a baby with PWS syndrome October 25, 2008, and the Annual Benefit on OCT 17, 2008 with Rescue Ink out of NYC.

Check out more of Derek's amazing work at his 1000 Markets site, personal website and blog!

Derek McCrea on 1000 Markets - Shop Now!
Each week we will feature another Boardwalk artist - so be sure to come back and check it out! This post was also posted at The Boardwalk Blog on 1000 Markets.

1 comments:

Unknown said...

Derek, What a great bio! Your work is beautiful and I enjoyed getting to know you better through your own words. See you at the Boardwalk!!
P.S. I can't thank you enough for giving so much of yourself in the defense of this great country. Know that you are a hero! Wendy (Artrussell)