Douglas shared the passion of art with his mother and from then on would use that passion to make a difference. Even though he faced discrimination and racism, worked past it to earn money and learn more about art by taking evening classes at the Detroit Museum of Art. He immersed himself in the thriving culture in Harlem, New York during the Harlem Renaissance and developed his signature style to illustrate his first commissions. During his time, he was one of many other artists that depicted the experiences people like him faced during that time with power and passion.