DEREK WATKINS

SITE 09

I'm a figurative painter drawn to the human form, its strength, fragility, and the unspoken stories it holds. My work often explores dancers, especially ballerinas, as a way to capture movement, grace, and emotion in motion. I work primarily in acrylics, layering bold brushwork with subtle texture to evoke depth, energy, and feeling. My current series ‘Echoes of Grace’ delves into the intersection of discipline and vulnerability in dance, revealing the internal fire beneath outward poise. I’m inspired by the raw beauty of expressive movement and how it mirrors the complexity of our emotional lives. Whether I’m painting a portrait or a figure mid-flight, my goal is to create connection—to offer a glimpse of something familiar yet unspoken. I'm based in Southsea and currently developing new work for numerous upcoming shows including the Portsmouth Open Studios Event.