Connect With Nature Through Creative Arts

About The Artist

Derek Farrocco

Hello! My training began with my Mother, who, from a young age, encouraged me to be expressive and imaginative. Constantly coloring in fantasy coloring books with my brother and later being led by my Mom and Dad into an Arts Magnet High School. After graduating high school in 1985 I was accepted to The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco, California, and completing my Associative Arts Degree in Fashion Design at the FIDM Los Angeles campus in 1987.  I then attended Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles for my foundation year. In the following years I attended the California College of Arts and Crafts as a drawing and sculpture major.  I left my studies mid-semester just before receiving my BFA. I later returned and changed majors to Fine Arts Glass. I completed my Bachelors of Fine Art in Glass in 1998.  After that I entered the field of teaching for students with Exceptional Needs. First as an Instructional Assistant for Students with Autism and then as a Private Instructional Aid for students with Autism. My first assignment as a Special Needs Teacher was the summer program for Special Needs Students at Bret Heart Intermediate in Hayward, California.  My next assignment was a self contained SDC classroom at Winton Intermediate in Hayward, Ca.  In 2000 I began teaching at Northridge Intermediate in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California.  I was so fortunate to have an inspiring and supportive administration who provided me with amazing opportunities such as direction from Board Certified Teachers, Team Teaching, Trainings and a marvelous group of Clear Credentialed Peers who worked in collaboration and friendship.  After completing my Preliminary Level 1 Education Specialist Credential at California State University Northridge, I returned to the San Francisco Bay Area where I worked for three more years at Gloria R. Davis Academy in San Francisco, Eldridge Elementary in Hayward and East Avenue Elementary also in Hayward.  In 2008 I suffered a personal crisis which led me to a Disability Retirement and I began the long journey to become a Working/Disabled Person.  I practiced gardening with a 30 year professional as a volunteer, attended Seminars with Master Gardeners and Arborists at Local Garden Groups and Co-Ops, attended Classes, Studied Books and Internet Resources and maintained my Father’s, Mother’s, and Brother’s gardens.  After 10 years of gardening and the unwavering support and love of my Mother and Father without whom I would have been unable to have achieved the ability to work as a Disabled/Artist.  I want to thank my family and loyal friends for their love and inspiration starting with my *grandmother Jenny Beattie (Momma-Jen) grandfather (George Beattie) my mother Judith Beattie, stepfather Steven Cornellison, older brother Morgan Farrocco and Anita,  younger sister Genna Beattie, younger brother Loren Beattie, my uncle and aunt Steven & Ann Beattie, and Lynn & Bill Berman,  *My grandmother Lena Farrocco and grandfather Philip Farrocco Sr. my father Philip Farrocco and stepmother Maria Micale, my auntie Stephanie Jenkins & uncle William Jenkins (Fallen Father God Bless), Jessica Jenkins (Jess), Chris Jenkins, and uncle Louis Farrocco (Lou).  My friends, Mike Fritz (Mikey), David (Davey) & Yulia Reed. Maria Rivera, and Tina Romero.  I want to include my new and priceless community of friends starting with, Dina Tyler, John Whitty, Alex Austin, Kyle Napierkowski, Andrea Grey, Anu Gampa, Kale Woods.  Also Sophia Campbel, Robin Judge, Mariah Guarnaccia & Jacob Liming, Ardalan Yaghmaie, Joseph Holcomb Adams, Mike Bike and the wonderful Pascal, Jennie and Logan. (there are so may more inspiring people; I will update to this list once I have permission)*

My work is about healing through joy.  Everything I do has spiritual meaning for me. My inspiration and guide comes from the angelic tradition starting with the Blessed Mother (Queen of Angels) who reminds me that love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness and faith are good things to build on and to always return to. For me, doing art is a true joy.  Using natural materials connects me with Nature.  I love color, wood, metal, stone, crystals, clay, glass, wool, cotton and anything that I find that is natural.  For me, making things is so joyful that it heals my heart and strengthens my spirit.  I think of the things that I make as a type of magic.  There really is magic in the something you love.  It is my hope that you will also enjoy the things that I make.  I will be sharing some of the things that inspire me.  All of it comes from Nature.  Let’s do this together; let’s have some fun.  

Rune Making

Runes are a sacred marking language and magical way of being. There are basically twenty five standard runes. This language and lineage comes from the Scandinavian cultures. They have been shared and appreciated across cultures. There are stories about the origination of these blessed markings. Based in the cultures that consider Odin (the All Father) and all the mythical heroes connected to this being such as Thor (his son) and all the Scandinavian legend to be a reality. Each culture has their own understanding of the universe and its creation. This is a wonderful exploration to consider and approach. It is my hope that I will share my simple appreciation for this as a continual journey. Please be blessed!  

My personal approach to rune making.  I begin with collected wood that I find available out in nature.  Mostly dropped wood and garden clippings.  Right now I have a store of wood that I have collected.  I have Redwood, Olive wood, Oak, Maple, and Camellia wood.  I often choose staves with natural curves.  Then I carve and shape them.  Sometimes I remove the bark completely and other times I leave textures with small amounts of bark remaining.  While still other times I will sand the surface of the wood to a fine finish.  It’s fun for me to adorn the wood with color often acrylic, leather and braids.  Once the wood is adorned I will choose runes for the charm both carved runes and painted runes.  I use various colors for this including white, black, red or other inspiring colors.  I include short interpretations of the runes hopefully to inspire curiosity for people interested in learning about this beautiful cultural art form and way of life. I also enjoy painting wood cuttings as charms like the charm picture seen at your left (this charm is approximately the size of a half dollar).

Embroidery

My approach to embroidery is somewhat non-traditional.  I use standard embroidery hoops and floss (thick thread used for embroidery).  I like to do patterns inspired by animals like snakes, lizards and turtles.  I also use symbols and circular constructions with various colors.  My work with embroidery is predominantly done on cotton denim.  I make patches, pouches, purses and jewelry amulets in which I place crystals, semi-precious stones, and metals.  These crystals, stones and metals embody certain subtle healing qualities that I hope will bring peace and joy to the people interested in this kind of process and understanding.  

 Stone Art

I also enjoy painting on river rock and small stones. These works are fun and colorful. Mostly I use acrylic paint but sometimes oil pigment. I make designs and images all hand painted, and envisioned.