Imagine sitting with your toes in the sand as the sun’s warm rays float down on you. Off in the distance, you hear the crashing of ocean waves while a flock of sea gulls hovers overhead and a cool drink quenches your thirst.
That is where Doug Bolly’s artwork transports you to with every brush stroke of vivid color.
Doug has created artwork his entire life. There hasn’t been a time that he can remember where he wasn’t creating art. Growing up, Doug had the typical answers to the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” An astronaut, a treasure hunter, and a pirate were at the top of that list. However, as he neared college, he knew being an artist was the only thing that would fulfill his happiness as a career.
Doug took his inspirations from Salvadore Dali for his surreal creations, Caravaggio for his use of light and shadows, Wyland for his massive murals, and Leonardo da Vinci for his vastness of knowledge and abilities. Throughout his childhood and his teenage years, Doug’s parents were instrumental in his success as they provided him with the tools he needed to develop his skills and the opportunity to experiment with different aspects of art. After high school, Doug took his talents to Florida Atlantic University where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In 2010, Doug was invited back to FAU to complete a wildlife mural on the first floor of the College of Engineering building. Doug was also the first ever Bachelor of Fine Arts alumnus to be inducted into the FAU Alumni Hall of Fame!
During his adult career, Doug has taken on many adventurous projects and colla
borated with various businesses to showcase his talents. Some of the companies he has worked with include Bass Pro Shops, Mars Candy Corporation, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Being inspired by Walt Disney and the animation that went along with his creative visions prompted Doug to delve into the creative processes of animation background art and how that transferred to the world’s that guests experience in the theme parks.
When asked what his favorite piece was, Doug remarked that he doesn’t have one favorite piece he has completed. As he continues his painting career, a current favorite piece can easily be replaced by a new one, and he has sometimes looked back at previous pieces and see where he would change certain things he has done with them. Even with an eye for possible changes, Doug thoroughly enjoys every piece he creates. Even without a favorite piece, one piece holds a special place in his heart, as he was asked along with only a handful of artists to create a Mickey Mouse portrait for his 90th birthday.
The tropical themes that are the major focal point of Doug’s artwork come from his life experiences. Per Doug:
“Growing up, our family vacations took me through the Keys, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas due to our close proximity living in South Florida.”
Not only was he inspired by his trips, but his own father was also an inspiration as well. He was a tiki carver during the 1960s Beach Blanket Bing/Beach Boys surf culture explosion. His father taught him tiki carving and introduced him to the Polynesian culture that has inspired his artwork.
The tropics are also his preferred place to visit with his own family. Their ultimate goal is to make the Caribbean their home! When asked how the places he visits inspires his artwork, Doug stated:
“The tropics can’t help but inspire. The views, the colors, the sounds, the smells, the food, the music, the people, the culture all come together and create this magical gumbo that permeates your soul. Every direction I look, constantly makes me say, “I want to paint that!” If I’m lucky, and God willing, He gives the opportunity to do so, I will do just that…Paint.”
Becoming an artist hasn’t always been easy. The biggest obstacle Doug has faced in his journey and still faces is stability. The art world does not provide any guarantees. One day there could be a massive amount of orders knocking at your day and the next day…crickets. Even with this, Doug has never stopped pushing himself. He is always on the lookout for new opportunities, hearing people out about new propositions, and being open to diversify his skills.
For up-and-coming artists, Doug’s advice is reflective of what he has experienced regarding the difficult nature of stability in the art world. Per Doug, being an artist:
“…is a hard living that has rewards, but no guarantees. You get to do what you love, but it takes work and sacrifice!”
Doug also advises up-and-coming artists to never stop learning and experimenting. By doing this, you can stay fresh and relevant in an ever-changing world. If you hit a creative block, walk away. By obsessing over the piece, you run the risk of creating more chaos. By walking away, your brain is allowed to rest away from the piece and a solution to your problem will manifest.
Be sure to check out Doug’s website and social media pages to keep up with what’s new!
Website:https://www.dbolly.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbollyarts/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DBollyArts
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