Award-winning artist Doug Powell has pioneered an unusual art form; mosaic portraits and large murals created with cast-off computer keys from tens of thousands of keyboards. Powell notes, “I want the viewer to ponder the infinite profound combination of thoughts, ideas and inspirations that have surely passed through this synapse I call an “Intellectual Porthole” all made possible with just the common computer key”
His art is collected by Ripley’s “Believe It Or Not!” and is featured in numerous Ripley’s Museums world wide including Times Square, New York City, Hollywood, California, Canada, London and Amsterdam. Since pioneering the art form in 2010, Ripley’s and Powell have transacted dozens of works including mural-like portraits of John Lennon, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, John F. Kennedy, Frankenstein, Lady Liberty and Star Wars Princess Leia to name a few.
Doug won First place awards in 2013 and 2015 at the Orlando International Airport in the National Arts Program Art Event and won “Best of Show” at the 2015 Great Day In The Country Art Festival, Oviedo, Florida.
In 2017 and 2018, Powell participated in Art Basel Miami and was featured in the Spectrum Miami Art Show winning Director’s Award both years as well as Spectrum Selects and Spotlight Awards. His artwork is currently featured in the award winning Guarisco Gallery, Washington, DC.
Powell has created large statement pieces for clients including a 7-by-14-foot computer keyboard abstract for Marriott Resort in Santa Clara, California, and a “Lipstick cap” Portrait of Mary Kay Ash for the Mary Kay Corporate Headquarters in Dallas, Texas.
Recent works include a 10-foot tall piano keyboard mosaic made with 10,000 computer keys for the University of Miami, Frost School of Music, and a 60-square-foot Hubble Telescope mosaic for the University of Denver, Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science.
I believe as long as we continue to live within this complex modern digital Age, many will inevitability drift away from real tangible creativity. I want youth to always be motivated and aspire to create with raw hands on discovery in the arts. After all, they are the future architects of invention.
