Welcome. I am an Australian artist who paints using what has been labelled as ‘a unique style’. I call this style ‘memory-bank painting’ since it can record, in a colourful and entertaining single visual artwork, your personal life, events, adventures, misadventures, countries visited, family, children and grandchildren, social life, and all activities that you would like to remember and be able to view every day.
I also paint original works in a more traditional style; and, reinterpret the works of famous artists with flair, colour, touch and emotion.
I would like to recommend that you begin your explorations of my artworks with Unique Memory-bank Originals by Deej. Then, go to the top-right hand corner of this page to explore the other categories under which I have filed and explained each artwork together with price and purchase details.
Below are some of the benefits accruing from having deej-art paintings in your home or office.
A deej-art painting confers on your home or business many important benefits. For example, having a painting instantly elevates an environment by establishing a focal point, setting the emotional tone, and reflecting your personal or brand identity.
Thoughtfully chosen art transforms empty walls, making spaces feel complete and inspiring. Intentionally designed colours and subjects can dictate how a room feels. Art can add character to a room by breaking-up monotonous architecture and making sterile, flat walls feel dynamic and lived-in.
In open-plan homes or large office breakrooms, strategic placement of paintings helps anchor seating areas and creates natural conversational zones. A unique piece of deej-art is a natural icebreaker, making it easier for guests, new acquaintances, and friends to connect over shared tastes or interpretations.
Deej-art adds a layer of hospitality. It shows that you care about your environment, which helps visitors feel more comfortable and relaxed in your home. Displaying art that you love invites friends into your personal world, deepening emotional connections and making gatherings feel more intimate.
Business studies show that employees working in art-enriched environments experience lower stress, higher morale, and increased creativity compared to those in plain, unadorned spaces. Art can communicate your company’s values. A tech startup might feature bold, modern abstract pieces, while a law firm might opt for traditional landscapes or local heritage art to project stability and trust. For business clients or visitors the artwork in your lobby or meeting rooms shapes their very first impression. It projects professionalism, success, and attention to detail.
Personal details about Deej
My name is Derek John Kosbab. The family nickname of Deej arises from my initials DJ.
I was born 5 November 1942 in Richmond, Surrey, England. I emigrated with my parents and brother Michael from post-war Britain in 1952. After a brief period living in Fingal Tasmania, the Kosbab family settled in Richmond, Victoria: from Richmond England to Richmond Australia.
I was taken out of school before fourteen years of age and after working for two years in a cigarette-wholesaler office I moved into an insurance office in Melbourne CBD. In 1962-3 I travelled around Australia working odd jobs. In 1964 I began employment as a teacher of dance in an Arthur Murray Dance Studio; and, continued to teach adults to dance socially for more than 30 years: 20 years of which were in my own ABC International Dance Studio. During that time I graduated as a Fellow of the Federal Association of Teachers of Dancing (Australia and New Zealand) and a Member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (London). Concurrently I opened ABC Fancy Dress Hire that operated successfully for a decade before being sold.
It was during my time as the owner of ABC International Dance Studio that I realised that while I had successful businesses employing more than twenty people I lacked an education. After a year at Box Hill High School studying Year 12 English, I applied to Deakin University to be a mature-age, part-time, off-campus student was accepted and graduated Bachelor of Arts (Social Sciences) with Honours. Meanwhile, I sold the dance studio and was working full-time in the not-for-profit sector delivering state and commonwealth funded employment and training programs for long-term unemployed adults. I enrolled for post-graduate studies and completed four Masters degrees and finally graduated with a PhD in Professional Education and Training.
In 2007 Dr Derek received the award Australian Adult Educator of the Year from Adult Learning Australia. I worked at Victoria University for three years prior to retirement in 2013.