Derek Hess began his artistic journey as a young kitchen employee at the Euclid Tavern in Cleveland, Ohio. With the blessing of his boss, he began designing his own concert posters to promote the bands that he booked to play the bar. His artwork introduced Cleveland, and later the world, to the music of such unknown bands as Helmet, Clutch, Guided By Voices, Green Day, and the Smashing Pumpkins. His portfolio, while never straying far from his Rock & Roll roots, documents his personal struggles with mental illness and substance abuse – two subjects he’s become a loud advocate for. In 2013, Hess was the subject of the documentary “Forced Perspective,” exploring the origins of his style, describing his personal struggles, and his impact on the Hardcore music scene of the 2000s. His work is prized by collectors, and is featured in such galleries as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and The Louvre.