Derek Hambly was born in Melbourne, Australia and has been a professional artist since 1967, after graduating with his master's in fine art from what's now known as Monash University. Shortly after he was invited to be the only artist allowed on site at the construction of the renowned National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne where he spent many months drawing and painting that exciting phase of this significant building. In 1969 Derek mounted his first solo exhibition at Gallery 99 in Melbourne and as a professional young artist, soon became known in high art circles as one of the most powerful, young, abstract painters in Australia. In 1999, America beckoned, and Derek answered with his first visit to the US. In 2000, he decided to move to the States permanently, and what followed was a rapid-fire succession of exhibitions throughout the East coast and Midwest, including a solo exhibition at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. After relocating to the Madison area, the media discovered Derek's work. "Today, the Australian-born painter, who recently moved to Madison, wields his talent and unabated energy as one of the most impressive abstract artists to hit the United states in years." Kevin Lynch, Art Critic, The Capital Times, August 17, 2002 “His paintings are bold, action packed explosions of color that have been thrown, dribbled, swept and poured across canvas. Sitting in the middle of his one-man show , Hambly is polite, articulate and calm. The storm is on the inside." Amanda Henry, Art Critic, Wisconsin State Journal, May 8, 2004 "Painter Derek Hambly has made a name for himself since moving to the US from his native Australia in 2000, exhibiting in elite galleries around the country such as Gruen Gallery in Chicago and Michael Lord Gallery in Milwaukee. Now Madison galleries and private arts patrons are falling in love with his abstract beauties." Artists Profile, Madison Magazine, January 2006 Since then, Derek Hambly has become established with art galleries, dealers and designers throughout the country. Abstraction has always been Derek's major focus. His acrylic abstracts are bold, explosions of color poured across the canvas. But even with that focus, he continues to paint landscapes scenes in oil, something he's done since the 60's, and has been commissioned to paint hundreds of scenes, homes and properties, favorite views, lakes and gardens.  His work has been purchased and placed all over the world.