Derek Penix was born on December 29, 1980, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Penix grew up watching members of his family paint but didn’t pursue painting himself until after high school. After trying his hand at painting and selling his first piece he knew this was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.
Over the years Penix’s work has changed greatly and continues to evolve with each painting. “I never want to be stuck painting only one way or only one subject matter. Variety is the spice of life and is especially that way for me with painting.”
Penix has had the opportunity to work under Quang Ho and later with C.W. Mundy. “They have helped me as an artist immensely. I am so thankful that they have been willing to feed into my life as they have.”
Penix has been recognized in many national competitions and publications. Even at a young age, Penix was recognized in Southwest Art Magazine’s “21 Under 31” artist competition in 2010, and Oklahoma Magazine’s “40 Under 40” in 2014. To date, Penix’s most notable and recent award has been the 2016 “Gold Medal Award” from Oil Painters of America 25th National Juried Exhibition, boasting a $30,000 prize. Penix currently lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Special Honors/Competitions:
Oil Painters of America Summer Online Showcase: Honorable Mention (2018)
Salmagundi Club SCNY Nautical Exhibition 2018: Best of Show
Oil Painters of America 27th Annual National Juried Exhibition: Animal Award of Excellence (2018)
Oil Painters of America Spring Online Showcase: Honorable Mention (2018)
National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Small Painting National Exhibition: Award of Excellence (2018)
Boldbrush: Honorable Mention (March 2018)
American Impressionist Society 2nd Annual Small Works Showcase: Honorable Mention (2018)
The Getaway International Online Showcase: Finalist (January 2018)
Oil Painters of America Online Showcase: “First Place” (Fall 2017)
The Getaway International Painting Competition: Finalist (November 2017)
PleinAir Magazine Salon Art Competition: “Best Building in Landscape” (Oct/Nov 2017)
The Getaway International Painting Competition: Best of Show (October 2017)
Oil Painters of America Western Regional: Award of Excellence 2017
The Getaway International Painting Competition: Finalist (September 2017)
Boldbrush: Best of Show (August 2017)
Daily Paint Works: Third Place (August 2017)
The Getaway International Painting Competition: Finalist (August 2017)
Boldbrush: Second Place (July 2017)
Daily Paint Works: Judges’ Pick (July 2017)
Boldbrush: Finalist (April 2017)
National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Spring On-Line International Show: Merit Award (May 2017)
PleinAir Salon Competition: 3rd Place Overall (Oct/Nov. 2016)
Boldbrush: Best of Show (November 2016)
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition: Second Place (2016)
American Impressionist Society 17th Annual National Juried Exhibition: Michael Harding Handmade Artist Oil Colours Award of Distinction (2016)
Oil Painters of America Summer Online Showcase: Honorable Mention (2016)
Boldbrush: 2nd Place (July 2016)
Oil Painters of America 25th National Juried Exhibition: Gold Medal Award (2016)
Boldbrush: 2nd Place (February 2016)
Oil Painters of America Fall Online Showcase: First Place (2015)
American Impressionist’s Society 16th Annual AIS National Juried Exhibition: Honorable Mention (2015)
