Doug Simpson is a painter and former church pastor and minister with a college degree in art education. His work is rooted in faith, reflection, and a deep appreciation for the spiritual significance of light, color, and texture. Through layered, transparent, and richly composed paintings, he creates work that invites viewers into contemplation and encourages them to see beauty, spirit, and eternity in a new way.
Doug’s artistic journey began at age eleven with a correspondence course in cartooning—a spark that quickly shifted to music, carrying him through high school and into college. Though life led him into retail merchandising and business ownership, the creative impulse never left. Throughout the first half of his life, three forces quietly shaped his path: a desire to create, a longing to build something of his own, and a deep spiritual draw toward ministry.
In mid-life, Doug founded a commercial sign shop, hand-painting signs with care and craftsmanship. As technology shifted, he sold the shop and returned to college, earning a BA in Art Education. He later joined a regional newspaper group, directing IT, production, and press operations—all while serving as a bi-vocational pastor and music director in his local church.
Eventually, art took center stage. Doug launched a 2,500 sq. ft. gallery, frame shop, and online art supply store, diving headfirst into painting. Some works sold, others didn’t—but every piece taught him something. When the local art economy collapsed, he stepped away from creating for nearly two decades.
Now, art is his profession. After retiring at 66, and after over a decade of catching up with life, Doug reignited his passion, producing six pieces in 2023 and enrolling in the Milan Art Institute’s Mastery Program in early 2024. He launched his second art business from a home studio in a converted garage, bringing decades of experience and spiritual insight to every canvas.
Doug’s work is rooted in mixed media abstract and non-representational styles. His art is intuitive, layered, and deeply personal—an improvisation of color and texture that reflects a lifetime of listening, learning, and letting go.
Charter Member of SOPA: Society of Professional Artists
