Derenda J. Keating was born and reared in southern Louisiana and majored in art at the University of Northeastern Louisiana in Monroe. She has also studied under some of America’s finest contemporary artists such as John Budicin, Judy Crowe, Bill Kalwick, Kevin Macpherson, Robert Moore and Ron Rencher.

Her work has received awards in juried art competitions and is showing in prestigious art galleries across Texas and Louisiana. Her works are included in the permanent collection of the Zigler Art Museum in Jennings, Louisiana. 

Her painting "The Regulars" was published in the "Art Galleries & Artists of the South" Magazine Volume 6 Issue 1.  She has also been featured in "Art New Orleans", "Inside Northside" of Mandeville, La., and "Country Lifestyle" magazines.

Derenda’s style is representational with emphasis on the values of sunlight and shadow. Most of her work begins with plein air studies to capture the subtleties of the direct and reflected light, followed by studio work that combines the plein air study and photographs taken on location.

Derenda currently resides near Fredericksburg, Texas, on the "Little "d" Art Ranch", where she continues to paint mostly Louisiana and Texas Hill Country subjects.