FAQ&A
Does Doug have any available originals?
Yes! View all available originals here. Don’t forget to check back in as the collection steadily grows. Instagram and Facebook offers the most up-to-date window into the studio. Get affordable prints at LaRueArts.com
Can I commission Doug for a painting?
Yes! Currently there are a few people on the waitlist for new commissioned paintings. The wait is around 3-4 months. Minimum size dimensions are 24 x 24 in (60.96 x 60.96 cm) which starts at $2880. Custom dimensions are welcome, as canvases can be ordered at any size for specific large walls. If you would like to learn more about commissioning new art, contact the studio. studio@laruearts.com
How does the refundable deposit for a commission painting work?
A 20% deposit is needed to be added to the waitlist, however the full deposit is refundable at any time. The commission can be canceled prior to, during, or after the painting is finished either by Doug or the client. Art is very personal and subjective for both the client(s) and the artist, so in the event that a commissioned artwork is not claimed it will be released to the open market and/or the galleries. No harm done. This system has kept everybody happy, and mainly it allows Doug to follow his method which is inherent to his creative process. For a commission, typically clients will suggest a subject, and palette preferences. Doug does not accept all subjects or palettes but is happy to hear what you have in mind. For example, a client might say they want a 72 in x 90 in horizontal artwork depicting something reminiscent of their favorite three paintings from his catalog. Since the deposit is 100% refundable Doug has the freedom to run with the suggestion and make it his own.
What is a Studio Proof?
There is a limited number of prints created of each artwork known as "Studio Proofs". These are in-house studio prints that are made during doug's process of final color correction on the artwork. Usually 10-12 color corrected final prints are made at approximately12 x 18 in. (30.48 x 45.72 cm) These final color Studio Prints are limited edition hand signed, numbered and embossed. Prints.
Can I get custom sized prints and canvases from Doug's Studio?
Yes! Doug has affiliations with selected printers located in the United States that produce quality stretched canvases, archival hot press or cold press prints, acrylic, metal and wall mural prints. Contact the studio and request a quote by providing the title of the artwork you desire and the size you are most interested in. Doug will get back to you with a price that includes shipping and timeline.
* Don't forget, sign the guestbook on the main page and get a discount ;-)
Can I get Embellished Canvas originals signed by Doug?
Yes. Embellished canvas prints of artwork you select from Doug's collection will be custom printed to a size you select then Doug will make it original art by embellishing the artwork and hand signing it. Contact the studio and request a quote by providing the title of the artwork you desire and the size you are most interested in. Doug will get back to with a price that includes shipping.
How did you discover your artistic talents?
Doug's talents were born from the education and training that started even before he had any idea as does most natural talents. A father obsessed with Baseball started with hand eye coordination by throwing and catching any ball that was within reach. He also had a passion for mechanical devices and loved cameras. His mother would naturally give him impromptu lessons in drawing and sketching every time she found a drawing tool in his hand.
What inspired you to become an artist?
From a young age Doug knew that he loved to draw. He was praised by his teachers and classmates for the drawings he created. He put in many hours of practice throughout his childhood and learned a great deal from his mother who was an oil painter. The grade school Doug went to was more focused on Music as a creative outlet than art so Doug happily spent his time drawing in Music classes, which, for some reason no one seemed to mind! High school was different, Doug was allowed to skip beginner art classes and moved into advanced classes his freshman year. Doug was encouraged by both his parents, who supported his efforts to absorb as much knowledge about art and photography as he desired. Doug’s father was a mechanical engineer with an interest in photography and was good friends with a fellow photographer / business associate of Ansel Adams who allowed Doug to assist him which lead to internships with several professional photographers.
Where did Doug grow up?
Doug was born in Amarillo, Texas but soon Doug moved to Dallas, Texas where he lived until going off to college. Blessed with the skills and talents introduced to him by his family and friends Doug was able to comfortably fit in with a wide range of social groups. Doug worked his way through his youth at golf courses, movie theaters and camera stores. Doug was always encouraged to pursue his dreams, balancing ones work with the pursuit of an art related career that would be more financially and personally promising.
Where did he go to school?
Doug attended advanced Art classes in high school, worked at camera stores, photo labs, interned with pro photographers, attended university summer classes in advanced photography at Southern Methodist University, won a national publication design award and was featured in a documentary film which led to a college scholarship. Doug attended Texas A&M University where he earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Environmental Design (Architecture). As a way to further his Art education LaRue became a Medical Illustrator for one of the most prestigious Veterinary Medical Centers in the United States where is attended many artist and photography workshops including Advanced Airbrush at the Smithsonian Institute of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
How long has Doug been painting?
Doug has been painting since childhood but had to balance passion with income so he found jobs that were adjacent to "Artist". Medical Illustrator, Production Artist, Lab Tech., Graphic Designer, Camera Operator, Photographer, Art Director, Creative Director, Producer, Architect... Doug managed creative productions as he continued to paint and learn. Eventually income derived from art production began to out perform design and brand management until it became the primary focus of his studio. Doug has published books and magazines, produced movies, directed photography for major cable tv networks, designed and built buildings and more but always came back to drawing and painting as a connection to his source creativity.
Where does he get inspiration for his art?
Early in Doug's career, while working as a Photographer he landed a commission to photograph a man's art collection in Houston, Texas. It turned out that the man was the retired CEO of the largest retail computer store chain on the west coast and his art collection was large, valuable and full of well known masters like Pablo Ruiz Picasso, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Doug spent 2 days photographing all the art in the man's 3 story apartment in the Melrose district. One normally does not get the opportunity to touch or handle such works of art. This was a profound experience for a young artist just getting started. To feel the surface of a 400 year old painting or run up a flight of stairs carrying an antique easel only to perplex the client and find out that the rickety old easel is worth around $200,000.While Doug used to rely more heavily on being inspired by photo references from his travels, in the past few years there has been a shift in the source of ideas. Doug spent years drawing and painting from photos in order to practice and develop techniques knowing all along that conceptual subject matter is a key to his inspiration. Meditation has been a great source of ideas and direction. His recent paintings have been more conceptual invoking inspiration through emotions. Doug will meditate then dive into an abstract canvas while continuing to focus on specific thoughts or general directions. Often times great conceptual mindful ideas reveal themselves while creating undirected abstract paintings. Some good tunes always help too!
What artists influence his work?
His work is influenced most by three of his favorite painters: Andrew Wyeth, Klimt, Van Gogh, Leonardo Davinci and Remedios Varo. He hopes his signature style will inspire others.
What advice does Doug have for aspiring artists?
Doug often tells artists that an exploration of what gives meaning to your life in tandem with study and practice are essential to reaching their artistic goals. He also shares stories of his own success, telling fans about his years as an Art Director learning from seasoned professionals, which was an integral step in his career. Social media has been a huge catalyst to Doug’s success. He places much importance on sharing through social media, and having pages specifically dedicated to art. The Web allows for direct advertising, so new artists can gain traction in the art world with sustainable organic growth.
How long do his paintings take to complete?
Depending on the size, his canvases take hours or days to plan and execute, and the more complex works can take a few days to several weeks to complete.
Does Doug teach classes?
Doug has taught film and digital Photography, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and even JavaScript. LaRue has taught a few private lessons in photography, illustration and painting but his focus remains on being a productive painter.
What is Doug’s creative process?
Doug lives and works from his studio in Austin, Texas. An easy place to find yourself barefoot in the dirt, connecting to the vibration of the planet. On painting days Doug adorns a funky old sleeveless surfer or local band t-shirt, cranks up the music and makes sure the studio cat has food in her bowl. Most of his paintings begin with an iPhone note, photo reference or a page from one of 81 sketchbooks laying all over. Later he moves to Photoshop to build out the idea in full color using a system of digital image editing and montage finished with a iMac and a Wacom Cintiq 22HD digital stylus pen. The fork in the road is determining the best medium and style to go with. Canvas painting or Mixed Media. If it is a painting he prints the digital sketch or sets up an iPad with the reference and preps his canvas with a colored wash of Holbein oils. Once the thin base coat drys Doug makes a few lines for placement and scale then launches full steam into the painting. Most paintings are several days of working, immersed in brushes, gloves, knives and rags working the canvas, feeling the thick buttery oil colors or acrylics bringing the canvas to life.
If IMixed Media is chosen then Doug sketches the image by hand with pencil and ink then scans the drawings converting them into digital files then imports them into Photoshop and uses a myriad of techniques learned over 30 years of professional Adobe Photoshop experience and a Wacom Cintiq 22HD digital stylus pen to accomplish the final art. These tend to come together faster than a canvas painting and these days Doug enjoys the ability to raise the computer desk to different levels and standing while working on an image. The 22HD has a 360 degree rotating easel and that combined with the desk helps to speed up and raise the quality of production.
Have you considered experimenting with other techniques in the future?
Doug has always experimented with various mediums. In fact Doug has approached all his creative endeavors from an Artist's perspective. Wether it is designing architecture, producing and photographing movies or designing books and magazines there is a common thread to the conceptual approach. This is a part of the education of a well rounded artist. Doug’s primary mediums include ink, oils, acrylics, photography and digital tools like a stylus, drawing tablets and applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, Final Cut Pro, Premiere, After Effects...
What has been Doug’s most difficult/technical painting and why?
Those with several humans included like the oil painting “Big Band” or Armadillo Art Squad which is an ink illustration depicting a large number of artist’s portraits.