About the Artist

Born and reared in Hesston, Kansas, Doug spent his early childhood running free on his Grandfather Miller’s farm. 

“I asked for a camera for my 9th birthday. I roamed along the creek beds, lined with cottonwoods and willow, photographing creek scenes and sunsets. When I wasn’t doing that, I was playing basketball or sandlot baseball. I loved sports.”

“I actually painted hard-edged abstract in college. Two of my paintings were featured in the Senior exhibition. This honor and the encouragement of my parents influenced me to pursue an art career. My love of the landscape and the breathtaking beauty of nature’s detail affected the development of my realistic style. I often feel as if I’m recording history. Sand dunes that I’ve painted are now covered in vineyards. Old barns I sketched no longer exist. Vacation homes are planted where I once explored along a river bank, surprising a whitetail or a great blue heron. “

The Kansas sunsets weren’t enough to keep Doug in Hesston. Post-graduation, he relocated in Washington state.

‘I packed up my Ford Maverick and headed to Eastern Washington, where my uncle was row-crop farming with a large family corporation. I married, farmed, and pursued my painting in the off seasons. This venture funded our trip to see the work of the ‘Masters’ in Europe and to build a house with a working studio.” 

Then, in 1980, Mount Saint Helen’s blew its top and covered most of Eastern Washington in an inch of volcanic ash.

“I went through a divorce, and moved to Leavenworth, Washington, a quaint tourist town which is modeled after an authentic Bavarian village. This move launched my career as a full-time artist.” 

Over the course of the next 37 years, Doug remarried, welcomed his daughter, Amanda, into the world, and marketed his work in his own gallery in Leavenworth. He also exhibited in other Northwest galleries, including the following: Filsinger Gallery, Palm Desert, CA; Simic Gallery in Seattle, Carmel and Beverly Hills, CA; Hildabob’s Gallery in Winthrop, WA ; Das Meisterstuk Gallery in Leavenworth, WA . Doug has participated in art festivals in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Texas, Arizona, Kansas, and Washington. 

Even after 40 years as a full-time artist, Doug continues to perfect his technique. He attends various workshops and occasionally the annual national Plein Air Convention.

 “I’m more excited now than ever before, since I started plein air painting. I paint on location to lock in the true colors. These sketches are used to compose larger, more detailed studio paintings. I love to travel. I’m always scouting for dramatic lighting and great compositions."

Doug, now residing in Arizona, paints both mountain and desert landscapes.

“I recently camped out on the red rock cliffs overlooking Arizona’s Lake Roosevelt to paint on location. I entitled my finished painting, “Above the Madding Crowd”. I never take for granted the opportunity to explore and record the beauty of nature, enabling me to transfer that feeling of awe onto canvas to share with my collectors.  Often, clients refer to my paintings as serene, peaceful, and inspiring.

 I love the simple things in life—nature, great music, and my family. I am grateful to do what I love most in life and share my joy through my artwork."