Doug Strickland, Painter, US – Raleigh, North Carolina

 “I draw and paint in a realistic representational style, but do not try for a photo-realistic effect .  I want the viewers to have no doubt they are looking at artwork which was created by hand.”

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Doug Strickland, painter

Doug was born in North Carolina, and has lived there all his life. He graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in Industrial Relations and worked for many years as a clinical social worker in a mental health facility while continuing to paint and draw as a hobby and avocation. Since retiring in 2003, he has devoted more time to his painting.

Recently, he has begun to paint more “en plein air” (French for “in the open air” or “outdoors”).  Doug also participates regularly in the “portrait painters group” at Sertoma Art Center in Raleigh, NC, to hone his ‘alla prima’ painting skills. He maintains a website where he displays and sells his artwork and offers commissioned works. Doug has been a member of the Visual Art Exchange in Raleigh for several years where he has won several awards in various competitions. His work has recently been on exhibit at Nicole’s Gallery in Raleigh and at other local venues. His paintings and drawings are included in many private collections as well as those of corporate and government agencies. Doug is represented by the Nicoles Gallery and Studio in Raleigh, North Carolina.

 Artist Statement

Since childhood, I have been inspired and motivated by visual art, photography, and the natural beauty of people, places, and scenes around me. I started very early to try to capture on paper in pencil and other media, the things that attracted me visually. Although I have taken art courses, including some in college, I am primarily self-taught in the techniques that interest me and in which I work best.

I have studied the works of Van Gogh, Sargent, and others, whose use of color, texture, and brushwork in their creative processes, have been strong inspirational influences. I draw and paint in a realistic representational style, but do not try for a photo-realistic effect.  I want the viewers to have no doubt they are looking at artwork which was created by hand. Although my work is representational in nature, it often has impressionistic qualities. I feel that representational art stands on its own for evaluation without the need for suspension of critical analysis by the viewer or external interpretation or validation.

 

GALLERY 4

GALLERY 3

http://www.dougstricklandart.com/

GALLERY 2

http://www.dougstricklandart.com/

GALLERY 1

http://www.dougstricklandart.com/

 

http://www.dougstricklandart.com/

 http://www.dougstricklandart.com/

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/doug-strickland.html