Derek Penix was born on December 29, 1980 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Growing up Penix was surrounded by artists in his family as his mother and grandfather painted. Penix did not pursue painting until after graduating high school. Penix’s mother encouraged him to pursue his talent and took his paintings down to a local gallery where he sold his first piece.
Through the years Penix has been inspired by old masters such as Nicolai Fechin, Sargent and the French Impressionists, but it has been over the last few years that Penix has been the most influenced by artist Quang Ho. Penix had the opportunity to take a workshop under Mr. Ho and later to study briefly with him. Since then, Penix believes his paintings have grown more in the last two years than in his last ten years of painting.