Des Moines native Doug Shelton, now living in Tucson, consistently from his teenage years has studied and created art. Supporting himself in the early years of his career by painting custom auto designs, murals in local hotels, restaurants and bars, and by doing free-lance commercial graphics, Shelton resolutely pursued and achieved the means to focus full time on his personal visions. Now, he accepts only occasional large commissions. Variously called a surrealist, hyper-realist, romantic, Shelton creates intricate "story" paintings which withhold their meanings from all but dedicated and sophisticated followers. His juxtapositions of unlikely objects, time-warps, and paradoxical settings - all rendered with infinite patience and detail - fascinate observers of all ages. Beginning with a private teacher in Des Moines, Doug studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago and earned his BFA at the Chicago Art Institute. With over 20 one-man showings in Iowa, Illinois, and Arizona, 26 group shows in the Midwest and Southwest, many special commissions - including ceiling murals in the House Wing of the U.S. Capitol - and a dozen corporate collections. Shelton also has won numerous grants and awards and his work has attracted many reviews, articles, and televisions features.