Expressions of the Ranch Through Oil Painting
Derek Harrison is a Colorado native now based in Southern California whose realist paintings bridge the dramatic landscapes of the Southwest with timeless figurative storytelling. Harrison's paintings convey profound respect for the classical oil painters he has studied in depth, and he expresses a genuine passion for the representational style. His artistic statement underscores figurative realism inspired by the land and people of the Southwest."
Dedicated to both creation and education, Harrison teaches at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, Westmont College, and the Scottsdale Artists’ School, while also leading workshops across the West. His works are held in the Hilbert Museum of California Art, the Almenera Collection in Spain, and numerous private and corporate collections worldwide.
“Derek admires the Old Masters because of their immense talent, craftsmanship, and skill,” said Santa Barbara gallery owner Diane Waterhouse. “Their artistry was astounding.”
In a recent article in the Santa Barbara Independent, Harrison tells writer Roger Durling that he aims to expose people to how he felt when he saw the works of the masters.
"The young artist worked in a walk-up, and — to my surprise — his art studio was also his apartment. The setup was something you’ve seen in movies about the Parisian Belle Époque. There was a corner that was dedicated for his models to sit and pose, with spotlights and a backdrop." (Durling, Roger. “Dancing with Color and Light.” Santa Barbara Independent. 24 July 2025)
Join us for this immersive 4-day class, October 12- 16, 2026, where Oil Painter Derek Harrison will explore the art of the West. Our participants will be painting horses on location here on the Central Coast and capturing stunning shots of horse and rider in authentic ranch attire, surrounded by the beautiful Edna Valley landscape. You’ll get to create your own masterpieces using both plein air sketches and reference photos, all while getting inspired by a modern-day cowboy, ranch foreman Peter Charnock. Throughout this hands-on experience, you'll pick up essential skills for painting amazing Western scenes, from understanding horse anatomy and mastering light and shadow to tackling atmospheric perspective, drawing, composition, and paint handling. It's the perfect opportunity for artists who want to unlock and develop their figurative painting skills and connect with the heart of the West.
His work has been featured in films, television, and publications, and he was honored in Southwest Art Magazine’s “21 Under 31.” Harrison has earned multiple awards, including first place at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, and is a consistent finalist in the prestigious ARC Salon.
You can find @derekharrisonart work at @waterhousegallery @abendgallery @brennenfineart and Western Art exhibits across the country.#Westernart #oilpaintings #figurative #artofthewest #westernlandscape #horsephotography #tehachapiwesternart #cowgirlart #ranchart #montanaart #southwestart #westisbest
