Derval graduated from Limerick School of Art and Design in 1996 with a diploma in fine art painting. She has exhibited in several solo and group shows throughout her career and her work is in many private collections. Derval was an invited artist by Hamilton Gallery Sligo, to participate in the external exhibition titled ‘Eva Gore Booth’ at the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI), Dublin. The group show continues back at Hamilton Gallery Sligo in May later this year. She is also an invited artist to the upcoming Hamilton Gallery’s Invited Artists 2020 exhibition in June later this year.
Derval is a lover of nature and paints full time in her studio based in Co. Wicklow where she is surrounded by the wonderful landscape of the Wicklow Mountains. She is a member of Visual Artists Ireland (VAI), Ranelagh Arts, Ranelagh, Dublin. Wicklow Artist A Gathering, Greystones, Wicklow and Signal Arts Society (SAS), Bray, Wicklow.
Derval’s art leans towards abstract expressionism. She paints using oils and cold wax, incorporating marks in pencil charcoal and oil stick, leaving a variety of textural surfaces and colourful transparencies which are revealed in places.
I am interested in how line, colour, shape and mark making direct the work in its own way and how it brings a sort of ‘order to the chaos’ of the under drawings and painting strokes. I draw inspiration form nature and the cycle of life in every living thing and being.
