Cowboy Kimono

Category: Creativity

  • Introducing the Poodoodle Journal

    Introducing the Poodoodle Journal

    Adios blank page anxiety! Hola creative encouragement!

    Hey there, creative souls! Let me introduce you to something that’s been in the works for a while now—the Poodoodle Journal. It’s more than just a notebook; it’s a creative companion designed to help you unleash your ideas, without the pressure or perfectionism that often holds us back.

    The Birth of the Poodoodle Journal

    The idea for the Poodoodle Journal came from my own struggle with the dreaded blank page. You know, that empty stare-down where your mind goes blank and creativity feels miles away? Sound familiar? I’ve been there too many times to count, and I realized: we need something to help us embrace that initial mess, the not-so-perfect ideas, and the glorious “oops” moments.

    That’s where the Poodoodle comes in.

    I wanted to create a space where anything goes. A place to doodle, brainstorm, make lists, scribble down half-baked ideas, and write without judgment. The Poodoodle Journal is here to remind you that creativity doesn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful. Whether your ideas are fresh, funky, or even a little funky-looking, it’s all good. The journal’s name alone is a playful nod to this—because sometimes a little fun (and a little nonsense) is exactly what we need to spark our best ideas.

    Poodoodle Features:

    • 140 dotted pages: The dots give you just enough structure for sketches, bullet points, and creative layouts, but they don’t box you in. It’s all about flexibility.
    • 5.5″ × 8.5″: A compact size that’s perfect for tossing in your bag, yet spacious enough to let your ideas stretch out.
    • Wire-bound for easy use: No awkward flipping or bending. It’s ready to go, wherever you are.

    And here’s a little bonus inspiration on the back cover:

    That’s right. Not every idea has to be a stroke of genius. Sometimes, you’ve got to start with the so-so ones and let them evolve. The Poodoodle Journal is here to encourage that messy, beautiful process.

    A Thoughtful Purchase

    One of the things I’m most proud of with the Poodoodle Journal is how it’s made. Each journal is crafted just for you when you place your order. No mass production, no piles of unsold stock. This on-demand model helps reduce overproduction and waste, so every purchase is a more sustainable choice. How cool is that?

    Let’s Doodle, Let’s Create

    I truly believe that creativity flourishes when we take the pressure off and just let the ideas flow—no matter how imperfect they may seem. So, if you’ve been staring at a blank page, hoping for inspiration to strike, it’s time to stop waiting. Pick up the Poodoodle Journal, and let the creative chaos begin.

    Remember, it’s not about the end result; it’s about the process. So let’s make room for a little mess, a little doodle, and a whole lot of inspiration.

    Ready to kickstart your creative journey? Grab your Poodoodle Journal here!

    Poodoodles away! ✨

    I hope this inspires you to dive into your next creative adventure. Whether you’re sketching your dreams, planning your goals, or just letting your thoughts run wild, the Poodoodle Journal is here to help you do it all—no stress, no pressure, just pure creative freedom.

     

     

     

  • Black and White Chalkboard Therapy

    Black and White Chalkboard Therapy

    “I just want to make beautiful things even if nobody cares.”

    SAUL BASS

    An artist’s dream – living in a place where you can draw on the walls. As a renter in a home with blackboard paint on the kitchen door, I kinda lived that dream. Using school chalk, I would draw for hours creating images to celebrate holidays (a few of my favorites below). Although there were no paychecks attached to these illustrations, there were gobs of benefits. The stress of my day job melted, my artistic confidence bloomed, and my wandering mind stayed focused in the moment. Not having to make color decisions was one of the many reasons I found it relaxing. Admittedly, I dug the subtractive drawing vibe; erasing areas for darker values and adding chalk for the lighter values.

    Cupid for Valentine’s Day
    Hipster Santa for Christmas
    Cowgirl for Fourth of July
    A Few of My Favorite Chalkboard Door Drawings

    I no longer reside in the house with the dreamy chalkboard door and was craving some black and white chalkboard therapy. The work-around solution? Taking a rediscovered pad of black paper, a brand spanking new white pastel pencil, and drawing! I drew each subject on a separate piece of paper then scanned. (Separate images in gallery below) Once I had digital images, I placed them into a single composition using Photoshop.

    Street Artist
    Harmony Player
    Spreading Harmony
    Separate Chalk Drawings

    This time my concept wasn’t based on a holiday. Instead, it was a play on words – harmony and harmonica. The next step was to Frankenstein words together and craft a message that flowed through the composition. “Harmony – Spread That Stuff Everywhere,” won out. Lots of tries later, I surrendered to design defeat; the message and the composition weren’t jiving. This is when not having a chalkboard door went from being a hurdle to being a springboard. This is when I realized I had all the components for an animated video. I created animated clips in Photoshop, combined and refined them (a bit) in iMovie, gathered copyright free music from YouTube creator’s studio, and built an artsy video (below). Beautiful to me (and maybe to you). “…even if nobody cares.”

  • The Creative Process Behind Each Painted Jacket

    The Creative Process Behind Each Painted Jacket

    Ever wonder how I make Cowboy Kimonos? This quickie tour shows how a doodle morphs into a hand painted denim jacket. Got questions (like how much money did my parents waste on acting lessons) or ideas for a custom Cowboy Kimono? Connect by clicking the button below.

    Connect
  • 5 Gifts You Can Create Today for Zero Dollars

    5 Gifts You Can Create Today for Zero Dollars

    Another holiday season – I’m short on time and short on funds. This year’s challenge: create quick gifts that cost absolutely zero dollars (not even the price of a postage stamp). Ready to savor the spirit of giving?

    1. Wrap Your Skills. Web Skills? Build a free blog, construct an engaging Facebook Page, or share a great video backdrop image. Photographer? Stylist? Coordinate a digital photoshoot. Artist? Give a pet sketch.
    2. Choreograph A Tour. Collect addresses of neighbors with spectacular holiday lights and decor and map out a tour. Find addresses by checking out NextDoor App’s Holiday Cheer Map or Facebook Groups. Prepare a GPS route or try Christmasprism (an app developed by a Dad to find the best decorated holiday homes).
    3. Rustle Up A Field Trip. Work at an exciting place? A zoo, historical building, baseball stadium? Offer a look-see!
    4. Give Sentimental. Record a family recipe how-to on video. Collect stories about your family’s holiday traditions, pranks and/or hacks, and share in an email.
    5. Nurture Talent. Hook-up a budding writer by uploading their book to Kindle Direct Publishing. Encourage an artist or entrepreneur by writing a positive review, following them on social media, giving a shout-out online, and engaging with their posts (@coachjojo). 
  • The Bright Side of Social Distancing

    The Bright Side of Social Distancing

    One of the emerging side-effects of social distancing is our remarkable ability to use limited resources in unconventional ways. The 2020 Quarantine is proving that scarcity + isolation = mighty springboards for creative work-arounds. 

    1. Zoom and Skype Set Design 

    Brilliant homebound workers camouflage bed heads, tweak waist-up wardrobes, and map-out ideal camera angles without hiring digital marketing teams.

    2. Pantry Mixology 

    Newcomers to day drinking re-craft cocktails and make the most of what’s left on the shelf. Got maple syrup and BBQ sauce? Go!

    3. Transportation Revolution

    Cycling enthusiasts tackle social-distancing and devise awe-inspiring alternatives.

    4. Light in a Dark Time

    Families build outdoor displays using programmable LED lights and imagination to deflate doom and gloom.

    5. Artificial Globetrotting

    Park the private jet – humorous Staycations break new ground.

    6. Coded Cursing

    Resourceful parents breathe new life into their high school Spanish or create secret languages to shout expletives without their homebound kids understanding a single word.

    7. Songs That Bond

    Virtual choirs generate entertaining lockdown tunes, opera parodies, and hand washing ditties to amuse themselves and divert family squabbles.