In today’s Partner Spotlight, we talked with Derek Carpenter about his artistic process and influences. Derek is the artist, social entrepreneur, and environmentalist behind the movement known as Art of One. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Art of One is not just a company but a mission to explore boundless visual creativity while making a positive impact on our planet. By offering a diverse range of products, including originals, prints, murals, and art apparel made from recycled materials, Derek supports fellow artists and donates half of all profits to renowned environmental non-profits like NRDC, Friends of the Earth, The Ocean Conservancy, and more. With a rapidly growing Facebook following of over 60K, Art of One is uplifting both artists and the health of the Earth, making a difference through biodiversity preservation, pollution cleanup, tree planting, and renewable energy initiatives. To ensure the highest quality prints for his customers, Derek has partnered with Lumaprints as his trusted print provider.
- What media do you use for your art style? Is there a specific reason why you chose this media?
My primary media is acrylic on canvas. In addition, I do spray-paint murals, sculpture made from found parts, and custom fashion apparel made from art-printed velvet
- Can you describe your art and your art style?
The style is very vibrant, dimensional, and psychedelic.
- Who or what drives you to create your art and share it to the world?
After making art avidly since 2012, art has become intertwined with every facet of my life. As such, the inspiration comes from many places, such as enjoying the creative flow state, work of others that has impressed me, striving to succeed as a brand, etc.
- Can you share a favorite quote or saying that you live by?
All of my favorite quotes are wisdom shared by the late Indian sage Nisargadatta Maharaj, whose primary message was that the true nature of the soul is awareness.
- Can you discuss a specific piece of art that you are particularly proud of and why?
I don’t like the idea of pride, considering all deeds to be done impersonally by nature and the universe; that being said, I am most fond of the large paintings with sculpted frames.
- Can you walk us through your creative process from start to finish?
Using paintings as an example, the creative process entails starting out with a very loose and unattached scrubbing of color as a background. From there, forms start to emerge geometrically, following perspective lines. Over many months the piece elaborates from background to foreground until finished.
- How do you handle creative blocks or challenges in your work?
I don’t experience creative blocks, geometry and perspective lines serve as easy basis for composing pieces.
- How do you handle customer inquiries and concerns, and what steps do you take to ensure customer satisfaction?
I do everything possible to get items to customers as quickly as possible, and make sure they are satisfied with their purchases.
- Can you share some of your most successful pieces on Shopify, and what you believe contributed to its success?
The most successful pieces on Shopify are sublimated apparel, most likely due to the fact that people need clothing and apparel is the most common product on the site.
- What is your advice to aspiring artists?
Advice to aspiring artists: If you put in hundreds or thousands of hours, you almost certainly will develop a unique style and evolved practice.
Learn more about Derek and his art:
Website: artofone.org
Facebook: ArtOfOne
Instagram: @art.of.one
