Derek Thomas

Cultural Background: Métis, Duncan, BC

Derek Thomas is a Métis artist who was born in 1982 in Duncan, BC Being raised in the Valley surrounded by the culture of the Coast Salish people, he was drawn to a young age of his Métis heritage, that he was unfamiliar with, but to the art and culture of his environment. Mostly self-taught, he started carving in 2005, and was inspired to paint shortly after by his Coast Salish uncle Richard Johnson. Thomas is a versatile artist who creates two dimensional shapes with unique color schemes. Thomas credits his growth as an artist to private art collectors who have supported him, most notably - Frank Weyman. Thomas' work is collected worldwide.