Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike DuBois.
Mike, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up I was never certain who I was. My entire life has been a journey towards purpose. When I was 10 I wanted to be an astronaut, at 13 I thought I would be a pastor, and at 16 I knew I would be a musician. I accidentally found a love for visual art between other ambitions in my late teens and early 20s through Tattoo art.
Something about the punk rock anti-conformity and the middle class work ethic spoke to me as a young man from rural Illinois. Today I draw from both influences to create works of art that are both interpretive and direct.
Currently, I split my time between tattooing and fine art. I’m excited to be a new transplant into the arts community of Chicago and I cannot wait to see where this new journey takes me.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a professional artist is a very difficult path to take. It is full of ups and downs. I worked my way through my apprenticeship washing dishes in a tai restaurant 40 hours a week while spending another 40 at the shop and still attempting to keep up with my own work on the side; I’ve moved from family to follow opportunities; I’ve been so broke I didn’t know what I would eat; I’ve ruined relationship; I’ve struggled with feeling unproductive and untalented. I wouldn’t give any of it up though.
Please tell us about Mike DuBois.
I focus on tattooing black and grey realistic work, occasionally including elements of traditional American tattoo design. As a painter I mostly make mixed media work out of graphite and watercolor. My emphasis in my paintings is to create realistic renderings that appear to drift into large fields of open paper.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Growing up I made dinner with my grandmother every night. I loved our talks and am glad she thought me how to cook.
Pricing:
- Tattoos are $150 an hour
- Portraits start at $400 plus framing costs
- Email duboisarts.tattoos@gmail.com for a quote on a painting or tattoo
Contact Info:
- Website: Duboisarts.com
- Email: duboisarts.tattoos@gmail.com
- Instagram: @dub_art
- Facebook: Facebook.com/duboisarts
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
