Derrick Williams

With a professional journey that spans educator, parent, role model, cable technician, and now full-time artist, Derrick “Kinfolks” Williams is most at home in a creative space. Art is where he feels free — where he can fully be himself. Born in Fort Worth, Derrick graduated from Trimble Tech High School in 1988. His love for art began in middle school. “Art helped me relax. It kept me preoccupied and focused as a kid. I loved drawing because I was able to get into a zone and express my imagination on paper.” A self-taught artist, Derrick began seriously developing his craft in the early 1990s, experimenting with acrylic paint and paint pens. He studied and drew inspiration from notable artists such as Ernie Barnes and William H. Johnson, cultivating a bold, expressive style uniquely his own. With over 500 paintings completed, Derrick is now recognized as a seasoned Black artist whose work captures vibrant, relatable life moments in color. His pieces celebrate family, culture, joy, and everyday experiences — art that speaks to the heart and connects generations. Over the past 20+ years, Derrick has: Created custom art pieces for homes, businesses, and schools Partnered with local organizations across the DFW metroplex Spoken at academic institutions, inspiring young creatives to pursue their dreams In 2016, his passion for art and community evolved into the launch of Let’s Paint With Kinfolks Studio. Through mobile and in-studio experiences across DFW, Let’s Paint blends music, art, and culture to create lively, welcoming environments that cultivate creativity and togetherness. Known for bringing strangers and families together, Kinfolks creates more than paintings — he creates experiences. Every guest leaves with not only a customized piece of art, but a memory rooted in connection, culture, and joy