We recently connected with Derrick R. Kearney and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Derrick R. thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I have always been someone who learns by observing and testing. I will dissect everything that comes in front of me into tiny morsels, then do my best to recreate each experience in a way that could be communicated well to others. That’s a bunch of words to say “trial and error basically” but with being a self-taught artist that’s the best way I can describe the journey.
Childhood Derrick would maybe do a rough beach sketch or stick figure portraits. Visual art for me growing up was observed more than tested. I was passionate about music, singing in local choirs and playing tuba for the school bands. I did enjoy taking pictures and playing with video clips. If you asked me 25 years ago what my art form was I would have said turntablism, as back then I was leaving Jacksonville University with dreams of being a professional DJ.
Life would take me on a journey. There were a lot of highs but also some pretty depressing lows. Ten years ago if asked, my artform was riding around the downtown trolley during the second Saturday artwalk in St. Pete to get in a little culture while bar hopping. I had seen some carvings done with vinyl records along with some very basic folk portraits from a group of kid artists. I tried my hand at a couple of glassblowing and flame workshops to make wine stems and pendants. I would still find time to take a few photos at the beach, but my play was replaced with an adult job editing video clips for the news.
Then 2016 happened. Which part would you like for me to relive, the multiple deaths of loved and admired ones in my life or the election? So I handled much of the traumas by submerging myself in YouTube videos on fluid art and how to repurpose vinyl records. I had a couple of crates that were damaged along with some inexpensive art supplies that I purchased at the dollar store. Figured it would be a nice rainy day stress relief to keep around.
At some point a few years later I decided I had watched and collected enough to actually give practice on my own a go. It was my birthday. I met a friend for acai bowls that morning followed by a therapy session. I then picked up Italian food and returned home to make my first fluid record pour. I decided to use one of those damaged vinyls just to test things out before spending money on an actual canvas. It was maybe four colors, no glow paint, glue and water as the pouring medium, WD-40 to create cells. I still have the original painting as a wall clock, which is what I had thought of making all of these into at one time. Anyway I walked back into work the next day and upon arrival was told that my services would no longer be needed. I know right, no happy birthday at least beforehand. So after I picked my jaw up off the ground I said “well at least I have time to paint now” before leaving that industry. They said I was suffering from burnout, which is what the therapist had just said the day before.
It’s amazing what happens when all you have is time and hunger. I quickly traded the traditions of a paintbrush for overly full plastic cups, wooden sticks, a blowtorch, a hairdryer, and lots of patience. So now five years in, I am not sure how I would speed up the learning process. I have needed this entire continuous healing journey for what is now my artwork.

Derrick R., before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Howdy folks! As the title of the article says above my name is Derrick R. Kearney. I am a multi-dimensional creator and multi-disciplined artist. My current speciality is fluid abstract painting using visual storytelling through tutorial videos. Since 2020 I have been honored to share the Creative Artistic Expression With Derrick R. Kearney’s channel on Youtube.
I have a series of fluid abstract paintings that are done using blacklight paints and old vinyl records that I am happy with because those items were meant for the landfill. To be able to reuse and give new life to those items, and then to have others find joy in what comes new with each of them to me is a double win. I also enjoy more traditional surfaces such as canvas and paper where I am known for creating folk portraits, landscapes, and abstract pieces using acrylic, oil, pastel, and watercolor.
I am a second-generation glass sculpture artist. I am a classically trained vocalist and musician. I have also worked professionally as a photographer, designer, writer, videographer, and editor throughout the state of Florida for decades. And I have served nationally as a ceremonial host and entertainer throughout my career.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I enjoy seeing people in pure joy with smiles on their faces. Those moments when they have smiles on their faces after coming in contact with something beautiful. Witnessing folks who are truly in love.
Many humans are into expressing their admiration for what’s in their lives. We can’t stop talking about it, whatever the object of our affection might be. That affection is not just limited to other humans or objects or even deities. It happens within ourselves when we discover an aspect that truly amazes us. Something inside that we maybe didn’t know we had tucked away in a back corner of our brains now shared with the surrounding external world.
So when you find and share just even a tiny reflection of light, it dissipates darkness. One spark ignites another. I have had people tell me about how they stayed up for hours watching my videos online. That’s something I would do to pull myself out.
There’s this famous poem called The Clown’s Prayer that ends “And in my final moment, may I hear You whisper: ‘When you made My people smile, you made Me smile.” That’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative artist I feel. I smile when others smile, because it makes God smile.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Each creation includes a piece of my soul. My paints are usually mixed with at least a few drops of salt water in the form of tears. I will normally stare at the surface for a bit and wait for the emotional release to come out. For me art has been in ways a form of therapy as I have been able to work through some difficult situations while in the studio. It has also in many ways become my prayer time. A way for me to connect with both the Creator and the Creation surrounding us all. They are for me medicine, just as someone sitting in an indigenous ceremony would consider both the ancestors songs and plant medicines. They are my visual journal entries of transmuting pain into power. I wish there was a way to help others understand how much of this journey is not normal. I learned how to create for others by learning about myself. That’s maybe the easiest way to explain it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thesocialartguide.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialartguide
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSocialArtGuide
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@drocktheallmightyone
• Other: https://linktr.ee/drock77