About Derek Burleson

Art has been my passion all my life. Growing up my dad was a commercial artist and my aunt was an art instructor at the University of Kansas, and they instilled an appreciation for all types of art and mediums. Through the years I participated in several art workshops and classes. I took a break from producing a lot of my art to pursue a career as a police officer, and after 28 years I retired and went full force into my art. For the past 10 years I have done my art pretty much full time, and for the past 6 years I have been teaching senior citizens how to paint in acrylics at our local Council on Aging, teaching private classes, and commission work. I also do art fairs throughout the year. When the pandemic started and I could not do in person teaching I started a YouTube channel so that my students could continue to paint and enjoy the peace and comfort that art gives them. I now have about 60 videos on my channel and I try to do one every week or two. I lost my dad to cancer when I was 19 years old and my aunt when I was in my late 20’s so I carry on the passion of art that they had and I work hard on my art to make them proud, but at the same time I teach my art, paint, and sell them to bring others joy. I want all of my paintings to tell a story that will trigger good memories of a place and time that is special to the person that purchases the piece, and that is what art is all about, and that is what drives me to create and teach art.