Today we’d like to introduce you to Doug Powell
Hi Doug, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Doug Powell grew up in Basking Ridge, New Jersey and relocated to Orlando, Florida in 1991 after serving in the US Navy for 10 years and returning home from a lengthy deployment to the Middle East during the Gulf War.
Doug’s ambitions were driven by his creativity which he enjoyed as a youth and now creates the
illusion of three-dimensional form through the use and arrangement of recycled computer keys from old keyboards.
Since pioneering the art form in 2010, Powell has gained collectors worldwide and has been featured during Art Basel Miami in Context, Spectrum and Red Dot shows since 2017 as well as Art Palm Beach, The Palm Beach Show and Palm Beach Modern and Contemporary in Palm Beach, Florida.
Each computer key cap has a unique tangible history that bears the weathered landscape of thousands of uses.
“I want the viewer to ponder the infinite, profound combination of thoughts, ideas and inspirations that have surely passed through this intellectual porthole…all made possible with just the common computer key.” – Doug Powell
Up cycling has a positive environmental impact due to the rescue and re-purposing of manufactured objects. The
reuse of materials has been employed by artists throughout history from Amish quilters and American folk
artists to Modern Masters, such as Picasso, Joseph Cornell, and Robert Rauschenberg, all of whom have reused
materials or found objects to create new, more complex works of art.
From a distance, the three-dimensional mosaics look like a textured painting, but upon closer examination reveals an
unexpected landscape of hidden words, phrases and quotes intimately related to the work. In effect the viewer
gets a little history lesson and further insight into the subject.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Taking the leap of faith and closing my physical therapy practice of 25 years in Winter Park, Florida to go for it and pursue art full time.
Keeping the creative edge sharp in 2015-2016 when my wife was diagnosed with throat cancer. She’s a survivor and won the battle. 10 years cancer free!
6 days before Covid shut everything down, I had major back surgery. I kept creating every day despite the double setback and had a record 4th quarter in 2020.
I look forward to the big art shows and reconnecting with art collectors year after year.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Powell’s list of commissions is quickly growing and includes Marriott Resorts, Santa
Clara, California.
Mary Kay Headquarters, Dallas, Texas.
Intel Corporation
Hyatt House
Hilton Garden Inn
University of Miami and University of Denver as well as many private collectors
including patrons from the Dominican Republic; Mali, West Africa; Finland, Israel, Canada and Mexico.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One of my earliest portraits was used for a book cover “Through Their Eyes” by Gina Bolton.
Created a memorial piece that honored 6 Medal of Honor recipients all of whom were from Finland for the Ambassador of Finland.
Creating a portrait of Mary Kay Ash out of 12,000 lipstick caps for the Mary Kay Corporation.
One of my American Flag mosaics was gifted to a 27 year retiring Navy Seal Team 6 Veteran.
Autistic kids often find all the word searches in record time.
Currently starting a piece that will measure 7 foot tall and 16 feet wide and take 30,000 recycled computer keys to complete.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://DougPowellArt.com
- Instagram: @DougPowellArtwork
Image Credits
Doug Powell
