Doug Gazlay - multi-capable Creative
Doug is a musician, songwriter, arranger, and artist, all in one
Starting with art and music in Michigan Center High School, in Jackson, MI, in the late 70s, he was guided along both paths by great teachers (Mr. Ron Douglass in Concert Band and Jazz Band) and Mrs. Jackie (Burnett) Fox, in art class and Theater productions. Loving music and art, Doug went into music for a career after High School.
He moved to Atlanta, GA in 1985 on a Greyhound bus with a box of sheet music, $70.00 in his pocket, and two friends (Charlene and Christopher Korth). At that point, he pursued the dream of making it big in music, only dabbling at one stage in creative painting. For a couple of. decades he wrote music and arranged music, was Music Director and/or Pianist for Metro-Atlanta area churches from 1987 until 2013. He wrote several beloved, original Christmas shows (Mable's Christmas, Christmas at the Movies, and WMCC: Christmas Radio) performed by one church organization.
"DOUG PIANO NO.1" (2016) 3' x 2' Acrylic painting on gallery-wrapped canvas. Private Collection: K Kidder-Barrett, Rives Junction, MI
He went back to sketching in 2014 when his father (David Gazlay) was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Doug needed a coping system and started creating Digital art on an iPad. People on Facebook started commenting with encouragement and Doug became more and more inclined to pursue art. When his father passed away in February 2015, he had started creating physical art. His mother (Delores Gazlay) passed away exactly 4 months to the day after his father. With the loss of both parents in such a short time, his art seemed to be a soothing balm that supported his soul during a difficult time.
"PIXELATED SUNSET LAKE" (2018) 6' x 3' Acrylic painting on gallery-wrapped canvas. Available.
In 2024, Doug looks back at 10 years of creating both Digital and Physical art. Many have sold, and lately, he has given away many original paintings as prizes for his monthly, popular Theme Night at Doug's BINGO. His love for art has been reawakened fully and he will continue the creative process for as long as the Good Lord allows. He hopes you enjoy checking out his art pieces, both current and those created a while back, and he is always open to making sure one of his "art babies" gets a "forever home" with anyone interested.
"LAZY DAY ON THE WATER" (2019) Pastel and Pastel pencil painting. Private Collection: K. McKibben, Canton, GA, USA