Doug Michaels

What inspires you most? What food, drink, song, movie, etc inspires you?

Time, We are at a point in time where new things never seen or though of before are being invented everyday, everything’s newer, more, bigger, better, faster, I’m a fan of the evolution of modern times so being a spectator of whats currently going on in the world inspires me to do more myself.

If you could acquire one random skill what would it be?

Not procrastinating

What is your basic life philosophy?

It’s your life so if your going to live it love it.

Worst job? Best Job?

Worst Washing Dishes, Best is probably shooting for Bikini’s and Boardwalks for Travel Channel

How do you tap into your creative headspace?

I just get outside and head somewhere where people are. I also prefer to walk, hike, or take public transportation to go out and shoot and try and be creative. I guess in my head it makes it feel more of an adventure.

Where do you go to do your art?

Anywhere really but preferably a National Park but I am creating everyday or at least I try to if I don’t create at least on photo’ or video, or edit a project each day I feel like i’ve failed myself for the day.

Name something you love and why.

Skateboarding!! It introduced me to creativity and freedom and working hard for the outcome you desire. In any art I do Photography, Filmmaking, ETC. what ever creativity I put into a project theres skateboarding behind it. It just makes you look at the world entirely different way the world becomes a playground.

What themes do you pursue?

I just like to try and document life here on earth on a daily basis. I do pursue extreme sports, nature, adventure type of themes in my work but I like to think I try to be a documentarian of the now.

Would you say the artistic life is lonely in a way?

Yes and No. Yes in that you have these crazy ideas and dreams and most people will think your nuts or stupid until you start making a living at it then there jealous but you always have doubt from others and yourself about your work its hard to give away something thats apart of you and put it out in the world to have it freely critisized but that’s also the most rewarding part.

No in that theres always no matter where you are other creatives that think link you or understand where you come from and its always refreshing to talk with others that do what you do and give you perspective that your doing something you love and most people can’t, won’t, or don’t and one of those that do. Be a doer.

What do you think about when you’re walking and lost in thought?

Usually singing I would walk 500 miles in my head

Favorite most inspirational place?

The West its always been a mythical place in my head growing up on the east coast and never going father West than Indiana until I was in my 20’s and when i finally got there being it the mountains and vast open spaces where you can go miles without seeing a house or person. You don’t find that out east as much towns are built on top of towns get to the end of one theres another, get outside the big city theres a small city out west you can count the miles until the next city or gas station even. There’s still a bit of that untamed wilderness aspect in some places and that really inspires me. Being out in the middle of the wilderness is what really inspires me.

Who is someone that you really look up to as an artist?

So many people, but if I had to name someone I’d say Jim Brandenburg his photography and the fact he uses it to raise money to raise money and awareness about many different issues has influenced me a lot as well as his Chased by Light book blew me away. He takes one frame a day for 90 days and they are all flawlessly beautiful each and everyone of them. He didn’t just choose one good photo he took from each day he went out and searched until he found the right subject each day and made just one frame each day. That is so much pressure to put on yourself and your art one small mistake and you just blew 90 days.

Have you ever dated another artist and what is that like?

I do currently. It’s great most of the time it makes me want to be more creative I have someone always there to collaborate with and its great to have a partner in crime that doesn’t always think your crazy ideas are so crazy.

If you could own any exotic pet, what would it be?

I’ve always wanted to have a trained bear like the one’s that are trained to be in the movies and just take it for hikes take some epic selfies together.

If you had to date someone based on either the shoes they are wearing or their pants, which would it be?

Hahaha probably the pants.

What has been your coolest dream?

I had a penguin friend from outer space, it was pretty cool.

What makes you laugh? Favorite comedian?

Mitch Hedberg, dude may have been the funniest dude ever

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

How I am totally singing the song better than the artist that I’m listening to just don’t listen to me with out the song.

What do you think happens after life?

I believe there’s someone or something out there at created us. I call him God I don’t believe he’s exactly the people that exists in the books about him because people write and control these books and you can’t trust people but I believe in a greater being and hopefully well get to hang out after this life. Cuz burning in hell or nothingness don’t seem like any fun.

What kitchen utensil would you be?

Fork

What is your favorite dessert?

If you could be a character from a book who would it be?

Chris McCandless

How to follow Doug:

Twitter & Instagram: @TheDougMichaels

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thedougmichaels

Videos: http://www.wrct.tv/ or Doug Michaels YouTube Channel