Today we’d like to introduce you to Doug LaRue.
Hi Doug, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
BACKGROUND:
Doug shared a passion for photography, design and sports with his father, a mechanical engineer at the National Helium Reserve. Known for the design of Helium transport vehicles, his work on the C5-A military transport aircraft and for his side hustle as a NCAA Football Referee. Doug’s passion for drawing and painting came from spending time with his creative mother, an accomplished oil painter.
LaRue attended classes in advanced photography at Southern Methodist University. His high school yearbook staff won a national design award and was featured in a documentary film— all of which led to a college scholarship. LaRue graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Design from Texas A&M University College of Architecture while working as a NCAA Sports Photojournalist for regional news outlets, United Press International and Associated Press.
LaRue worked as a Medical Illustrator for the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. His education continued in media design, illustration and photography through workshops offered to state agencies including the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Advanced Airbrush workshops at the Smithsonian Institute of Natural History in Washington, D.C..
LaRue founded Glaze Studios, LLC. A media design agency whose first contract was a comprehensive branding campaign for the Texas Department of Transportation Motorcycle Safety Bureau called CycleVision featuring Texas music Legend Jimmie Vaughan, television commercials, billboards, posters, brochures and a popular motorcycle bumper sticker.
Selected Glaze projects:
Art Direction of a live 3D Avatar video animation interface for a referee’s coin toss which premiered on the jumbo-tron at the Liberty Bowl.
Created and licensed art to the United States Speaker of the House.
Co-owner of Capitol City Publishing, LLC producing Capitol City Arts and Entertainment Magazine. Interviews, profiles and pictorials of Artists and Musicians including Academy and Grammy Award winning artists like Willie Nelson, Brendon Fraser, Tom Petty, Prince, Kiss as well as local and regional visual arts favorites.
Director of Photography on archeology in Tiwanaku, Pumapunku, Isle Serique, Copacabana on Lake Titicaca in the Andes Mountains in Bolivia and Peru with Cinestar Films, Glaze Studios, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania aired on Digging For The Truth, The History Channel
35mm film Post Production • D1 Art Direction for the Movie Rigged with Academy Award winner George Kennedy Austin Texas and Burbank, California
Screen Actor’s Guild, Indiefest Award winning independent film Barlow Grants Wish.
Produced live concert film / DVD+CD package for Van Wilks Low Down, Wound up, Rockin’ Texas Blues.
Doug appeared in Mike Judge’s Fox Searchlight movie Idiocracy and a few other studio features.
CURRENT PROJECTS:
Austin Art Park
Since 2018 my focus has been on creating original conceptual paintings and selling artwork that has been produced throughout my career as an artist. I have always been one to create opportunities for artists of all kinds which is what led me to the develop the idea for a pop-up art event that create opportunities and build audiences for local artists. Austin Art Park produced one event in 2024, will have four events scheduled in 2025, and were on track to produce 6 events in 2026.
Art festivals are an industry staple for emerging artists and they can be difficult to get into and expensive to attend. Smaller events like ours become a valuable resource for creating a professional track record, making money, new friends and industry alliances. We keep things easy for the Artists. They drive gear right up to the site to unload and load out. Everyone is very helpful when someone needs help setting up! After were set up we get together for introductions, a bit of art talk and have some great gourmet coffee provided by our sponsor Dhaba Cafe as well as other offerings from the wide range of food vendors. We share ideas, trade art, learn, laugh, play games, sell art and enjoy life! 7221 McNeil Rd, Austin, Texas 78729 https://austinartpark.com
NeWorld Gallery
In addition to Austin Art Park, I am curating art events at NeWorld Gallery Inside the legendary NeWorlDeli in the Hyde Park Marketplace 4101 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78751. We had one holiday event in 2024 that sparked the opportunity to continue producing a variety of art events throughout 2025 with new events scheduled into 2026.
Hyde Park Marketplace is a mixture of classic early Austin structure with a tasteful architectural redesign that maximizes the building square footage for effective local boutique retail business. with unique natural light supplemented by museum track lighting. The NeWorlDeli is a relaxed easy going environment with great food, live music and fine art right in the heart of Austin with great vibes of all kinds. QR codes on the art gallery labels provide more information about the artwork or peruse the complete collection in a wide range of custom sizes and styles and pick the work up at NeWorlDeli. Open Mon-Sat 11-9pm, Sun 11-5pm, 4101 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78751 • https://neworldgallery.com
UPCOMING EVENTS:
1. Austin Studio Tour @ NeWorld Gallery Holiday Show • NOV 8–9 & 15–16 • 12pm – 6pm I am a Featured Artist and the NeWorld Gallery will be an official Austin Studio Tour location. A CITY-WIDE CELEBRATION OF ART PRODUCED BY Almost Real Things, Celebrating 23 years • NeWorld Gallery Holiday Show runs through JAN 3rd • Open Daily • 4101 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78751
2. AUTUMN @ AUSTIN ART PARK • SAT/SUN NOV 29/30 • 10AM-4PM
A crisp breeze brings out the Fall season
Creative gift giving is in the air and love is the reason
Something with style and local flare
Show them how much you really care
Wander through the PARK, find something real
Bring someone special, have a drink, dessert, a share a meal
3. WEIRD @ AUSTIN ART PARK • SAT/SUN • OCT 18/19
Curated interpretations of curious, eccentric, freaky, funky, haunting, kooky, creepy, magical, mysterious, outlandish, spooky, inspiring, unique, original art showcasing a variety of unique, eccentric artwork that aligns with Austin’s reputation for embracing the weird and unusual and catering to the Halloween season. 7221 McNeil Rd, Austin, Texas 78729 https://austinartpark.com
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This business is more about the passion for creating. I have produced creative projects for others throughout my career and now that I am finally in a position to focus on my art. I can help to create events that will add to and benefit the art culture in Austin and beyond.
One large challenge I faced was in 2019 while building a better website for the business. At first I thought that since I have a healthy knowledge of the code required that I would build the website myself. But after trying to incorporate e-commerce and inventory systems cleanly I began searching for existing online business platforms that would be best for growing the business in the direction I was headed. I settled on Shopify just about when the Pandemic started, shows were being canceled and the lock downs began. I decided this would be the best time to learn the system and take on the giant task of building the store onto the platform with hundreds of artworks added.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My art often results in realist, figurative or abstract paintings and contemporary mixed media. Originally known for bold detailed ink artwork, my experiences creating art, paintings, illustrations, photography, architecture, design and medical illustration compelled a unique mixture of mediums, detail and aesthetic to produce uplifting works of conceptual mixed media art and paintings.
A perpetual journey of conceptual art exploring many genres while endeavoring to effectively achieve a personal expression.
What matters most to you? Why?
Family and friends, expressing and inspirational positive vibe though my art, business and my life. The inner journey never ends. Being open to learning new things, finding goodness in the people you choose to be around and in those who choose to be around you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://austinartpark.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinartpark/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austinartpark
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglarue/
- Twitter: https://x.com/DougLaRueArt
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AustinArtPark
- Yelp: https://www.youtube.com/@laruearts
- soundcloud: https://laruearts.com
- Other: https://neworldgallery.com
Image Credits
Laura Rojo
