Biography

Joey Deruy used art as a means of communication through early sexual trauma as a child. During his secondary school years, while his parents taught English, Joey came of age in Africa. There he learned the alchemy of making color with natural elements such as flowers, ash, and sisal, living deep in the bush near Nairobi. Due to political situations at the time, Joey’s family was separated and deported at gunpoint, eventually meeting up in London. This trauma stayed with Joey. 

Having ADHD and dyslexia, Joey found an outlet in art classes and gained his first group show at age 14. By age 18, he was published in his first national magazine. 

But the age of 18 would also mark a turning point of an entirely different kind: Joey was disowned for being gay. And two years later, his parents died, just a week apart.
 
After presenting Andie MacDowell with an artwork, Joey paused his art career and moved to Dallas to pursue an opportunity in the fashion industry. There he would be hired by Versace as a model, including working with Donatella. And later, Joey was hired by the Texas Convention & Visitors Bureau to paint a commemorative poster for the Dallas Arts District. 
 
Around this time, Joey learned he had been gaslighted, discovering lies his parents had told him about his history, identity, and mental health. These discoveries combined to create a personal breakdown. To cope with these revelations, Joey began using art as a means of self-support. And he soon rediscovered a thriving sense of creativity. During a TV appearance, Leeza Gibbons wore shoes made by Joey. To expand his creativity, Joey began assisting a celebrity hairdresser, meeting Kate Pierson, Tommy Lee, The Psychedelic Furs, and more. 

Joey also began designing for rug companies, creating packaging for candles and other products sold nationally like Burke Williams. As a result of his packaging-design work, Joey won an award for HGTV’s packaging of the year. (In one way or another, Joey has been engaged by HGTV  throughout his career.) Following this achievement, Joey was signed by national printing companies, selling prints through the World Trade Center to national showrooms like xgallery, as well as hospitals, hotels, restaurants and other public venues.
 
Moving back to San Francisco, Joey attended City College while working as a photojournalist for local, state, and national online news sources. He moonlighted as a gogo dancer for DJ Earworm and Jake Shears’ (of Scissor Sisters fame) DJ group Crystal Pepsi. He showed in group shows at 111 Minna and 1Am gallery and was featured in national magazines highlighting local SF shows. Joey was even featured in the inflight entertainment of Virgin America. He was named SF Weekly's Artist of the Year and showed alongside Hunter Salome and then had his first solo show.

Joey soon moved to Washington, DC, for a commission, and was nominated for a Smithsonian apprenticeship. He showed with the LGBT center and received a local print interview.
 
Joey was hired by the State of Nevada to paint five murals on Maín Street in Laughlin, Nevada. Joey was featured in an interview in the entertainment magazine of the local newspaper and showed at the flamingo. 
 
He later worked with Jack Pierson and Hunt Slonem and was photographed by Pulitzer Prize winner Judy Walgreen. He showed his art around Texas, received press, and began painting large upscale art for public spaces. At the height of this period, Joey was in a group show at the DMA, and received press coverage in local print and tv news and magazine covers. Joey’s art has been showcased by CBS Radio and Texas Monthly, and he was recognized as Artist of the Year by SFist. Joey Deruy was also featured on A Very Brady Renovation with the Property Brothers and Maureen McCormick.