Michael Doering on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Michael Doering. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Michael, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I have a lot of hobbies and I recently started doing archery with a traditional recurve bow. It is very relaxing and I have always enjoyed learning new things and acquiring new skills.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Michael Doering, and I am an abstract artist based in Reno, Nevada. Although I studied art at the University of Iowa, my creative path took a long detour while I built a career in education and raised my family. I returned to painting in 2017 and have been fully committed to my artistic practice ever since. My work has been exhibited in numerous shows across the United States, including several in the Los Angeles area, as well as in Dijon, France and Santiago, Chile.

While my primary focus is abstract painting, I have also devoted significant time to expressive portrait work and woodcut printmaking. Both disciplines have influenced my abstract practice and shaped my growth as an artist. Like many abstract painters, I rely on intuition and spontaneous expression, but one element that distinguishes my work is its grounding in personal narrative. I also enjoy working with a variety of mediums and exploring the creative tension that emerges when different materials and ideas interact.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My father taught me more about work than anyone else. I grew up in a large working-class family in the Midwest, and saying he instilled a strong work ethic and an extraordinary level of grit in his children would be an understatement. I remember lying about my age so I could work in the cornfields at thirteen. When my brothers and I quit one summer because the conditions were so harsh, my father made us return to apologize and ask for our jobs back.

He is no longer with us, and we certainly had our share of disagreements over the years, but the lessons he taught me have stayed with me. He gave me a deep work ethic, a thick skin, and a resilience that has shaped every part of my life.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Unfortunately, I did give up art for almost twenty years. Being an artist can be a demanding vocation because you are revealing your inner self every day and placing your work in full view of criticism, obstacles, and financial uncertainty. I still face many of those same challenges, but I am in a much stronger place now. I have the perspective, resilience, and determination to meet those difficulties head-on and stay focused on the goals that matter most to me.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes and no. Most of my followers know me primarily as an artist, and that is certainly true, but I am much more than what people may imagine when they picture an artist. Many people envision artists living in major cities and being deeply immersed in a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Although I have spent time in large urban centers, I grew up in a small town in a working-class family. I have spent much of my life engaged in pursuits such as hunting, camping, and fishing, yet I also love jazz, reading, fine dining, cooking, art, and museums.

I may not fit the typical image of an artist, if such a thing even exists. What is true, however, is that I am a lifelong learner with a genuine passion for exploring new ideas, environments, and experiences.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I believe I have a deep understanding of balance, not in a physical sense, but in the way I approach ideas and beliefs. I see many people take extreme positions on everything from parenting to politics to everyday opinions. Over the years I have learned that the truth in most situations tends to live somewhere in the middle. I consider myself thoughtful and reasonable, and I am often able to see the strengths and weaknesses in multiple perspectives, which allows me to feel comfortable settling into a balanced position.

I studied Tai Chi for several years, and I think that practice helped refine my overall philosophy. It taught me to value equilibrium, calm, and clarity, and those lessons continue to influence the way I navigate my life and my creative work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.michaeldoering.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/michael.doering.art
• Twitter: https://x.com/m_doering_art
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/michael.doering.319
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@michael.doering.artwork
• Other: Saatchi Art: www.saatchiart.com/michaeldoeringart

Image Credits
Peter Doering