Keep Up The Fight Artwork

Artist Statement: As a contemporary painter and printmaker, I combine contrasting techniques into my pieces with hints of humor and a slight nudge for viewers to look at things differently. I draw inspiration from stories, characters, and art history, and I’m interested in bridging gaps between the past, present, and future in my art. Typically working from observation, I naturally gravitate to a bold expressive style with a constant need for experimentation and change. When in doubt, I go with my gut, and if something is not clicking for me, I tear it down and build it back up! This may result in disaster, but more likely, it creates tension and energy in my work, which is vital to me as an artist. 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 Expressionists, Post-Impressionists, street artists, and various contemporary portrait painters.