Derrick B. Bryant (Benetez) was born in New Bern, NC, where as a child growing up he was heavy into arts and sports. Bryant was always drawing to pass time, but began to excel at drawing. As Bryant was going through school he noticed that he began to get feed back from his peers and teachers. In high school Bryant began to enter contests for his art work and placed in one of them. Bryant's art teacher suggested that he study art in college after graduating. "I wasn't really into art, I was into music and I just drew for fun," says Bryant. Not knowing soon art would be a major part of his life. After being accepted to NC A&T State University, his professor noticed that he had a talent and began to work with him in perfecting his skill. Throughout college Bryant performed many projects for the university as well as independently. He also did artwork for the university such as, painting the school mascot and different projects for organizations on campus." I like to be around kids because they can teach you a thing or two," says Bryant. Bryant also did community projects at several elementary schools throughout Greensboro, NC. As well as small projects Bryant has also begun working on big projects such as conducting his own art shows. "You are your biggest weakness, if you don't try how will you know," says Bryant.
He has graduated from NC A&T State University with honors. Bryant has furthered his education and has studied in his Masters in Illustration from The Academy of Arts in San Francisco. Furthermore, Bryant has been acknowledged and published by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, View House Publishing, Sun Journal Newspaper, The Herald-Sun Newspaper, NCCU, Hayti Heritage Center, Spotlight Magazine, Tribes Magazine, IBM, BET, Armacell, Yardsellr, Kodak and NBC My Carolina Today. Bryant also has done work for NBA player Jerry Stackhouse, Actress Rosario Dawson, Snoop Dogg and NBC My Carolina Today. Bryant is currently an Instructor at Durham Tech College, Wake Tech College teaching painting and graphic design. Bryant is experienced in all mediums such as acrylic, watercolor, gouache, ink and oils. You can see some of Bryant's recent work at Exotique Gallery in Durham, NC. "I like to enlighten my viewers, so when they view my art work a second time they are intrigued to see something different," says Bryant
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. " ~ Dr. Seuss