Biography

Derrick Breidenthal’s paintings have been showcased throughout the US and abroad. His art is heavily influenced by rural America. The combination of severe space, light and color in Derrick’s work reveal much more than the precise site itself. His paintings are confident depictions of atmospheric spaces that balance an interesting line between familiar scenes and specific events. His dedication has resulted in numerous solo exhibitions and inclusion in many private and corporate collections across the United States. In 2021 Breidenthal debuted his first solo museum exhibition of over 20 nocturnal oil paintings at The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art.

Breidenthal’s paintings have been described as extremely tonal and are sometimes compared to the Tonalism movement that emerged in the late 1800’s; others see roots in Modern Abstraction and the Color Field style. Breidenthal’s paintings pivot and bend to create his own contemporary visual language. His larger contribution is his commanding use of color and technique to create a precise sensation, pulse, and rhythm for the viewer.

Some permanent collections include: Principal Financial, Des Moines, IA, Athene, Philadelphia, PA, Parks, Open Space and Cultural Arts Department, Denver, CO, H&R Block, Kansas City, MO, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, MMG Worldwide, Kansas City, MO, The Faulconer Gallery, Grinnell, IA, W Hotel Collection, Detroit, MI, and Viceroy Snowmass, Aspen, CO. Derricks paintings are widely collected across the country and abroad.

Selected Exhibitions & Press

PULSE | Solo exhibition 2023 | moberg gallery

Skylights, Landfall, Sundown, and Echoes—these are not just titles for Derrick Breidenthal’s new work; these are oil paintings that make mood, provoke contemplation, and pause us briefly, in a world gone fast and furious. Atmosphere is Breidenthal’s forte, and he is conscious of both nature and man’s mechanical place within it. This coexistence, sometimes, is not so peaceful. - Michaela Mullin

Pulse 2023 | Moberg Gallery | View Exhibition Video and images.

Aesthetica magazine

| Aesthetica Interview |

Contemporary Abstraction: Collaging Space and Color | Moberg Gallery

Derrick Breidenthal’s landscapes are translucent—but what do we think we see on the other side? It’s the visibility percentage that amazes the viewer here—horizon spots of lightness—but these landscapes are mostly sky, which offer a lost perspective though they feel like there must be vanishing points somewhere, if only the clouds would clear. The haze factor is what make these paintings so embracing, like weather itself. Gloaming or evening storm, morning fog or rain, Breidenthal’s wide open spaces hint at what’s down the road. Even if you can’t yet see it.

Contemporary Abstraction Show Review

Fresh Perspectives | Walker Fine Art

Artists use varying techniques to create a realistic impression of depth, while humans in general create their individual realities from personal points of view. The way you interpret the world around you, as well as the artwork you view, is all influenced by your vantage point. By contemplating the multi-faceted meaning of perspective, the six artists in this group exhibition showcase their navigations through a variety of mediums. Approaching these notions from micro or macro lenses, each artist questions and portrays their individual meanings of space, home, environment and what it all means to them. 

Nocturnes by Derrick Breidenthal | Solo Exhibition | 2021 - Albrecht-Kemper Museum

Derrick Breidenthal’s landscapes display velvety night exposures along with penetrating fires straining the land—demonstrating the grace and fragility of our surroundings. Breidenthal’s persistent insomnia has given him an intimate grasp of the nocturnal habitat. The result is a collection of haunting depictions of solitude, beauty and destruction. These new works will debut in a solo exhibition at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, January 16th, 2021.

Connected by techniques of gentle blending and diffusion, Breidenthal is able to illuminate rare night-time colors and conditions. Stunningly rich oil color and beautiful compositions manifest a range of lucid night-time sensations for the viewer. The exhibition is comprised of more than 25 paintings including three large works. Running through April at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum.

Diffusion by Derrick Breidenthal (Video Installation) | 2019 - Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art

“Diffusion” invites the viewer into the artistic process of Derrick Breidenthal. Projecting videos and photography in the studio allows Breidenthal to diffuse, replay, distort, and adjust perspective of his imagery. By doing so, he is able to move past simply documenting research material with paint and instead uncover soulful moments that help determine the heart of his paintings.  View footage from St. Joe and surrounding areas in an unfamiliar way but with a familiar feel. Running through early April, 2019.

Aesthetica Art Prize 2022

Blues Run The Game has been Longlisted for the Aesthetica Art Prize 2022 and will be featured in the upcoming Future Now 2022 Anthology. Future Now will showcase 125 Contemporary Artists (Photography/Painting/Film) selected from around the world. Summer 2022.

Artist Statement
I use oil paint to establish a rhythm and pulse that aligns with my psychological state. This mental sync tends to coincide with what I observe in contemporary life. In doing so, the viewer is exposed to sensations and conditions we are universally experiencing. I believe the natural environment provides a strong foundation to explore our shared realities of hope and distress. 

CV

Born: USA 1971, Kansas City, Missouri

Exhibition History (2008-2024) :
2024
Walker Fine Art - Nomadic - Group - Denver, CO
Breidenthal Art - Selected Works - Kansas City, MO

2023
Moberg Gallery - Pulse - Solo Show - Des Moines, IA
Moberg Gallery - Anniversary Show - Group - Des Moines, IA
H&R Block Artspace - Flatfile Exhibition - Group - Kansas City, MO

2022
Aesthetica International Art Prize Longlisted Finalist - York Art Gallery, United Kingdom
Nahcotta - Chroma Light - New Works by Derrick Breidenthal - Solo - Portsmouth, NH
Moberg Gallery - Contemporary Abstraction - Collaging Space and Color  - Group - Des Moines, IA
Walker Fine Art - Fresh Perspectives - Group - Denver, CO

2021
Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art - Nocturnes: By Derrick Breidenthal - Solo - St. Joseph, MO
Moberg Gallery - Winter Show - Des Moines, IA

2020
Pearson Lakes Art Center - Contemporary Abstraction - Okoboji, IA
Walker Fine Art - Common Ground - Denver, CO
Telephone Project - International Arts Exchange - Seattle, WA

2019
Nahcotta Gallery – Dark to Light – Solo - Portsmouth, NH
Walker Fine Art - Horizons - Denver, CO
Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art - Diffusion (Video Installation) - St. Joseph, MO
Kansas City Art Institute Art + Design Auction - Kansas City, MO

2018
Moberg Gallery - Summer Show - Large Works - Des Moines, IA
Nahcotta Gallery - Hinterlands - Portsmouth, NH
H&R Block Artspace - Flatfile Show - Kansas City, MO

2017
Walker Fine Art - Juxtaposed - Denver, CO
Nahcotta Gallery - Enormous Tiny Art - Portsmouth, NH
Kansas City Art Institute Art + Design Auction - Kansas City, MO
Walker Fine Art - Human Nature - Denver, CO

2016
Walker Fine Art - Large Works - Denver, CO
Moberg Gallery – Spring Show - Des Moines, IA
Nahcotta Gallery - Enormous Tiny Art - Portsmouth, NH

2015
Satellite Collective - International Arts Exchange Telephone Project - New York, NY
Nahcotta Gallery - Landscapes - Portsmouth, NH
Bone Creek Museum - Ballad of the Farm Exhibition - Installation and Oils - David City, NE
Moberg Gallery - 4 Solos - Des Moines, IA
Dean Day Gallery - Art Houston Gallery Show - Houston, TX

2014
Moberg Gallery – New Landscapes - Des Moines
H&R Block Art Space - Flatfile Show - Kansas City, MO
PS Gallery - Summer Show - Columbia, MO
Nahcotta Gallery - Enormous Tiny Art - Portsmouth, NH
Moberg Gallery - Works on Paper - Des Moines

2013
Swiss Art Space - International Exhibition of Contemporary Drawing - Lausanne, Switzerland
Epsten Gallery - Urban Suburban - Kansas City, MO
Moberg Gallery - Opening Show - Chicago, IL
Moberg Gallery - Spring Group - Des Moines, IA
Dean Day Gallery - Art Houston Gallery Show - Houston, TX

2012
H&R Block Art Space - Flatfile Show - Kansas City, MO
Art Through Architecture “Art Boards” - Missouri Bank - Kansas City, MO
Dean Day Gallery - New Artists Show - Houston, TX

2011
Shoshana Wayne Gallery - Group Show - Santa Monica, CA
Station A Studios - Belize Studies - Kansas City, MO
Goppert Gallery - Selected Works on Fabric - Leavenworth, KS

2010
H&R Block Art Space - Flatfile Show - Kansas City, MO
Gallery 455 - Postcard Composite - Milwaukee, WI
Cocoon Gallery - Alumni Show - Kansas City, MO
The Moving Crew - Ideal X - Rijeka Croatia
The Faulconer Gallery - Projects About Place - Grinnell, IA       
The Pearl Gallery - We Are Synaesthetic - Kansas City, MO
Perlow-Stevens Gallery – New Artists - Columbia, MO
Station A Gallery - Patterns: New Works - Kansas City, MO

2009
Epsten Gallery - Urban Suburban - Kansas City, MO
The Artist Coalition – Member Show - Kansas City, MO
Leopold Gallery - Solo - Landscapes by Derrick Breidenthal - Kansas City, MO

2008
Walnut Street Gallery - 48/3:  ArtsKC Inspiration Grant Show - Kansas City, MO
River Market Midwest Exhibition - Kansas City, MO
Leopold Gallery - Solo - Paintings by Derrick Breidenthal - Kansas City, MO 
Epsten Gallery - Urban Suburban - Kansas City, MO


Selected Permanent Collections:
Parks, Open Space and Cultural Arts Department, Denver, CO
H&R Block/ Kansas City, MO
The Faulconer Gallery / Grinnell, IA
Kauffman Foundation / Kansas City, MO
Kansas State University/ Manhattan, KS
KU Medical Center / Kansas City, KS
MMG Worldwide / Kansas City, MO
W Hotel Collection / Detroit, MI
Cafe Europa / Kansas City, MO
Viceroy Snowmass / Aspen, CO
BKD / Springfield, MO
Saint Lukes Medical / Kansas City, MO
Sprint Nextel / Kansas City, KS

Several U.S. and international private collections

Awards
2015 Selected Artist - Ballad of the Farm - Bone Creek Museum -David City, NE
2014 Selected Artist - Studio Visit Vol 24 - New York, NY
2013 Selected Artist - Telephone Project - New York, NY
2011 Selected Artist - Ideal X - Moving Crew World Collection
2011 Selected Artist - Inspiration Grant, ArtsKC Fund - Kansas City, MO
2010 Selected Artist - Symphony Showhouse - Kansas City, MO
2009 Selected Artist - River Market Regional Exhibition
2009 Selected Artist - Governor Inaugural (Kansas)

Publications:
Future Now 2022 - 125 Contemporary Artist - Aesthetica Art Prize 2022
Humana Obscura: Fall / Winter 2021 / Featured Artist / Black Swift Press
BreakWater Review / Cover Artist; Featured Artist / Boston, MA
The Pitch / Featured Project / Kansas City, MO
St. Joseph News / Featured Exhibition / St. Joseph, MO
Persea Books / Cover Artist / New York, NY
Review Magazine / Cover and Profile / Kansas City, MO
Studio Visit Vol 24 / New York, NY
Spaces Magazine / Kansas City, MO
Living The Artist’s Life / US and Japan Edition
Ink Magazine / Kansas City, MO
The Pitch Weekly / Featured Exhibition / Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Star / Featured Exhibition / Kansas City, MO
Featured Artist Essay / River Market Regional Exhibition Catalog / Kansas City, MO

Education:
1989-1991: The University of Kansas - Lawrence, KS
1991-1993: Johnson County College - Kansas City, KS

Projects, Residencies, and Programs:
2014: Heinrich Toh Studios - Professional Lithography Workshop - Kansas City, MO
2011: Artist Inc Professional Workshop - Kansas City, MO
2010: The Arts Incubator Professional Development Residency - Kansas City, MO
2011: Caye Caulker Field Study - Belize, Central America
2010: Forty Eight Divided by Three - 3 Artist, 48hrs, One Show - ArtsKC Artist Inspiration Grant - Kansas City, MO
2007: Phuket Field Study - Phuket, Thailand
2004-2010: Artist in Residence | The Arts Incubator - Kansas City, MO