Derek Toomes
Derek Toomes is an artist and freelance designer currently based in Raleigh, NC.
He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UNCG in 2004 and has since been active in the art community.
Inspired by graffiti, skateboarding culture, and urban landscapes, Derek Toomes has combined these influences
into his own personal technique and style. He often mimics street art and it’s transience but adds a touch of the
urbane, which allows his work to communicate a sense of culture while, at the same time, commenting on that culture.
Having spent an extended time in Los Angeles, Derek’s work is also influenced by Latino art. He often uses richer textures,
more luxurious colors, and more ornamental, hand-drawn lettering, which both compliment and provide a stark contrast
to his grittier, more urban techniques. He works with a number of mediums from aerosol paint, marker, wheat paste, and
acrylic on conventional sized canvases, to large installations that often incorporate video elements.
Derek’s work has been featured in various progressive art shows, and he has been invited to work on an array of collaborative art projects throughout Northern America.