Dereje Shiferaw is an intuitive and gifted self-taught painter, born in Asmera, Eritrea in 1978.  His deliberate bold brush strokes and incomparable oil pastel technique, create deep multi-dimensional compositions, set in contrasting environs from tranquility to turmoil. Where many artists are refining and defining, Dereje is questioning and emphasizing. His art is fresh and unbridled by any academic pedagogy or formula; hence he freely goes where most formally taught artist dare to venture, making him exceptional. The self-taught husband and father of 3 is a full-time studio artist who art has been in several international shows and collections.