Born in 1967 from German and Jamaican parentage, Vancouver, BC artist Derek von Essen relocated from Toronto in 1991. While working in photography, painting, graphic design, video and mixed-media art, von Essen has earned his self-taught education through observation, experience and a thirst for knowledge. His D.I.Y. leanings have propelled him to always challenge and extend himself within the creative fields he works in. It's part of his root system, as is the crossover of media he continually combines in projects. His use of found objects has no limitations and finds its place within an ongoing theme of recycling elements, such as using found conversations (dialogue from passersby in public spaces), combining immiscible mediums while painting and creating digital photomontages and video works. His paintings and photography often appear within his design and video work, while all of it merges into new means of expression with his unique mixed-media illustrations.