What a Weird Night It Was Painting

Artist Statement: As a painter and printmaker, I thrive on contrast, blending techniques, ideas, and emotions to invite viewers to see the world from a fresh perspective. At its core, my work is about storytelling. Often autobiographical, it weaves together humor, history, and the passage of time, exploring themes of duality, class, and characters through a bold, expressive style. Instinct guides my process. I am not afraid to push a piece to the edge of ruin before pulling it back, and that tension between control and chaos, risk and resolution is what fuels my creativity. Each piece tells a story, sometimes personal, sometimes imagined, but always layered with meaning. Experimentation is at the heart of everything I do, constantly pushing the boundaries of my mediums. For me, art is not just about making something: It’s about discovering, questioning, and revealing what’s beneath the surface. Artist Bio: Michael Doering (b. 1966) is an American painter and printmaker whose work bridges personal history with contemporary artistic expression. Born in Mason City, Iowa, and currently based in Reno, Nevada, Doering’s journey into the art world was anything but conventional. Raised in a hard-working Midwestern family with little exposure to fine art, he developed an early passion for drawing, using whatever materials were available, from notebook paper to ballpoint pens. This resourceful, self-driven approach continues to shape his artistic practice today. Straddling two worlds, his rural, working-class roots and the modern art scene, Doering brings a unique perspective to his work. His art is often autobiographical, blending storytelling with themes of duality, class, and characters. He draws inspiration from Expressionism, Post-Impressionism, street art, and contemporary portrait painters, creating pieces that challenge traditional narratives while remaining deeply personal. Doering earned a BFA in Studio Art from the University of Iowa, where he studied painting and drawing under Ben Frank Moss and printmaking with Virginia Myers. After relocating to Las Vegas, he took an unexpected detour into education, working as a teacher, counselor, principal, and district administrator. It was not until 2017 that he returned to painting full-time, a decision that quickly garnered him an international following. His work has since been exhibited in galleries and exhibitions across the United States, as well as in Dijon, France and Santiago, Chile.