Meet Michael Doughty | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Doughty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born and raised in North Philly in a neighborhood called Nicetown, but it wasn’t so “nice.” Philly is known for its violent history, but the area I grew up in was more poor than violent. The environment was tough, but I love how the neighborhood raised me. I grew up in culture where me and my friends had fun in the best and cheapest ways possible. We would play games like basketball, tag, video games, etc, but my personal favorite hobby was watching tv. My favorite show was Dragonball Z (DBZ). It inspired me to start drawing because of its anime style and all the amazing characters. DBZ kicked started my love for art, but my current artwork is inspired by black culture. Nothing can inspire me more than my people. Celebs and historical figures like Martin Luther King, Obama, Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Samuel L. Jackson, etc influenced me to become great in life, and I want my artwork to shed light on my culture.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My artwork caught fire very early in my career. In less than a year, I created a piece called Philly Family that went mega viral. It was a piece shining light of celebs from my city, Philadelphia. Big name celebs like Will Smith, Kevin Hart, Allen Iverson, etc shared my artwork, and it went everywhere. I was able to make the local news, do tons of interviews, and my artwork was placed in magazines. It was one of the biggest moment of my life, and I want the world to know that I love my culture. I try to shed light on cultural positives and misunderstandings. Despite the initial success, I faced challenges as my art gained attention. Managing sudden fame was overwhelming, and navigating the spotlight came with its own set of difficulties. Coping with the highs and lows of recognition, I continued to create, delving into the complexities of my city’s culture. Exploring both the triumphs and struggles, my art became a reflection of the diverse and dynamic aspects of Philadelphia. Amidst the recognition, I remained dedicated to fostering understanding and addressing cultural misconceptions through my work, contributing to a more nuanced narrative.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Philadelphia has numerous highlights, but for me, the pinnacle is its vibrant food scene. A cheesesteak at Max’s, famed for its appearance in the Creed movie, and conclude at Larry’s on 54th street, my personal favorite spot. To celebrate a true Philly staple, we have to go to Rita’s Water Ice (Italian Ice), and you have visit to South Street for everything at once.

In addition, I would take them to one of Philly’s hidden gems – Graffiti Pier. This abandoned pier has ever-evolving graffiti, resembling a dynamic jungle gym, and it provides a captivating backdrop for photoshoots.

Philadelphia’s rich history with iconic landmarks and venues – the Rocky statue, Art Institute, Franklin Institute, Eagles stadium, Reading Terminal, Love Park, Spruce Harbor Park, among others. With an abundance of activities, a weekend wouldn’t suffice to explore all that Philly has to offer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shoutout my wife, Morriah Young. She is my partner in shine. She literally brightens my world and supports me in everything I do, and I’m inspired by her greatness because she has been on season 43 of Survivor, she has a selfie museum called Reignbow Room, and she’s building her popularity on social media where she’s becoming a legit influencer. I want the world to know how much she means to me. She’s a living rainbow.

Another shoutout is to my friend, Zarinah Lomax. She has one of the biggest hearts in the world. She has an organization called The Apologues that sheds light on victims of violent crimes. She has helped so many people heal and find support by presenting family members with portraits of their lost loved ones. She is definitely a gem and deserves to be celebrated and recognized.

Website: https://www.bymiked.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethanmiked/