Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Doughty.
Hi Michael, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up in Philly, there weren’t many resources and programs for kids like myself. I had family and friends, but TV kept me occupied a lot. I loved watching my favorite TV show, Dragonball Z, so I passed the time by drawing characters from the show. When I got to high school, I had become so skilled at drawing that my teacher recommended I attend a summer program at USC, all the way in California, and I was accepted. During the summers of my 10th and 11th-grade years at USC, I was introduced to graphic design. It changed my life. Graphic design opened my eyes to messaging and imagery. I had never thought about an image/design having a purpose and how it delivers a message. For example, Nike’s swoosh logo is inspired by the Greek goddess, Nike, known for her speed and strength. It shows how athletes are like the gods in a way. It’s all by design. So, today, I create with that mindset. From creating pieces about my city to making pieces about social injustice, I paint everything with a purpose.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There are a lot of struggles with being an artist. For one, getting paid can be challenging. My price is my price, but not everyone can afford or wants to pay the full price for my services, so I end up taking losses, especially with celebrities. Celebrities NEVER want to pay; they want it all for free, which is very difficult. The only celebrity who has paid me was Rick Ross. I can create a piece for a big name and end up paying for everything myself (prints, shipping, handling, etc).
Another challenge for me has been negative criticism. I create many controversial pieces, and some go viral for the wrong reasons. Some people just hate my work. I receive hate speech, and I have even received a death threat once. All the negative feedback has made me hesitant with my messaging, but I still end up putting out anything I want anyway.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in digital art, which means I create art on a tablet rather than using traditional methods, where artists typically paint with brushes and canvases. In some cases, digital art may not be as highly valued as traditional art because digital pieces can be replicated, whereas traditional art remains unique. As a digital artist, I have the advantage of easily selling my work as prints, on shirts, stickers, and more. Additionally, digital art is more accessible for online distribution, allowing my work to reach a wider audience.
I’m best known for three pieces: ‘Philly Family,’ ‘Birth of a Nation,’ and ‘My TV Dads/Moms.’ These artworks set me apart from others in my field. For instance, I was the first artist in Philadelphia to gain viral recognition for a piece dedicated to my city. ‘Birth of a Nation’ garners attention every year due to its thought-provoking imagery and its message concerning slavery. ‘My TV Dads/Moms’ goes viral by sparking conversations about how TV parents from shows fill-in for absent parents in real life. These pieces also happen to be the ones I’m most proud of.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I only learned the government truly has enough money to give to its people when necessary. I just wonder why they don’t provide more financial support for public education and other essential services.
Contact Info:
- Website: bymiked.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/morethanmiked?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
