Michael Doering

Why Are They Here?

2022

Artist Statement: Realism has its place but capturing the energy and emotion of the subject is where I live! Whether painting purely abstract pieces or portraits, I listen to my inner voice and thrive on experimentation. I enjoy pushing the limits of mediums and combining contrasting techniques in my art. If something is not working for me, I tear it down and build it back up! This may result in disaster, but typically, it creates wonderful tension and energy, which is vital to me as an artist. Being a natural storyteller and lover of history, I may introduce characters and connections between the past and future in my work. I also truly believe that all good art is as much about the maker as it is about the muse and that all art is abstract at its core. Therefore, I try to stay away from specific artistic labels when describing my style and I always hope to share a little about myself in my work. Artist Bio: Michael Doering (b. 1966) is an American painter and printmaker. He was born in Mason City, Iowa and currently has his studio in Reno, Nevada. Coming from a small-town Midwestern family, Michael did not have much access to formal art instruction, materials, or exhibits growing up, but this did not deter him from drawing constantly, even if it was on notebook paper with a ballpoint pen. Although he was not exposed to much art as a child, he developed grit, character, and an unstoppable work ethic during his youth. Michael earned his BFA from the University of Iowa, where he was fortunate to have studied painting and drawing with Ben Frank Moss and printmaking with Virginia Myers. He then relocated to Las Vegas but ended up taking a detour on his art journey by working in Education as a teacher, counselor, principal, and district administrator. Unfortunately, he didn’t pick his brushes up again until 2017, but he soon developed an international following for his work, and his art has been exhibited in shows throughout the United States, Dijon, France and virtually through Santiago, Chile. Throughout his life, Michael has had a love of storytelling and characters, and much of his work is based on this, but he has also been influenced by countless artists, including the German Expressionists, Post-Impressionists, Abstract Expressionists, and various contemporary portrait painters. Education: BFA, Studio Art, University of Iowa (1989). M.Ed. Counseling and Educational Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (1995). M.Ed. Educational Leadership, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (1997).