Born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in San Pedro, California, Doug began expressing himself through art at the age of three. He explained “I had a speech impediment as a child and became diffident because of it; I would often draw pictures to express myself avoiding speech communication altogether. For this reason I would say art was my first language!”
Doug learned that disruption and chaos has worked out for him. Although life has brought him turmoil, from that also has come grace. His choice in knives, a tool known to cause pain, destruction & trauma, gives the viewer looking closely at his art a chaotic view, however when the viewer takes a step back one can behold the elegance of the complete picture. Doug prefers to go against all that’s considered normal. Paint brushes, pens and pencils all have been indoctrinated in what one is supposed to use to construct art, but Doug chooses the symbol of destruction to create beauty.
Doug’s messages intertwined in his art is intentional, “my message is intended for those intended to receive the meaning.” His inspiration is creating through the lens of his African American experiences. He considers his work to reflect His stories, but welcomes the viewer to be curious enough to come their own conclusions.
He reflects how Blacks in America would study a white experienced classic novel, then had to open up their own curiosity to try to understand the meaning behind a book they had no reference to and knew nothing about, but required to learn all about it.
America often expects all to learn and understand experiences from a white perspective.
Doug encourages us to unlearn what’s been taught as acceptable and what is expected to be the “norm” and welcomes the viewer into His world and asks that They open up their curiosity to study, learn and interpret the many meanings behind each stroke of his artwork.