Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawson Jordan.
Hi Dawson, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil. I guess I got my artistic abilities from my mother’s side of the family and a passion for the outdoors from my father’s. I first started my actual passion for illustrating in high school with sci-fi comics and stories that I hoped would someday be published. I later realized that it wasn’t the path I needed to pursue and completely dropped drawing for years until college. In college, I was one of the many young adults who dreamed of creating my own southern lifestyle clothing company that represents my passion for hunting and fishing. It wasn’t long before I realized the cost and difficulties involved, so again, I threw in the towel and quit. I later even tried creating my own fly-tying company and fish carving business but became exhausted and lost steam. After college, I decided to again pursue the outdoorsman clothing industry but with a much different approach. The brand started strong but after a year or two, saw the same fate.
In 2019 I got married to my amazing wife, Gisella. One morning she encouraged me to start drawing again, so I did but with absolutely no intention to make any profit. I created an Instagram account just to showcase everything and quickly started to receive commission requests. Fellow outdoor enthusiasts who were in the same industry that I attempted over the years were contacting me for logos and apparel art. As the years passed, I began getting more and more requests from larger companies and even a few national and international companies. In 2022, I got a commission request from one company in particular that I had dreamed of working for, but thought it was too good to be true. Since then, I have continued to be blessed to work with other organizations that I have admired my whole life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have failed over and over and over again before finally finding my talent.
As I mentioned earlier, I tried so many other types of business from clothing to wood working but I always ended up failing due to expenses, planning, and a lack of enthusiasm and support.
It wasn’t until I started drawing just for fun, that I randomly discovered what I was capable of.
Even when Dawsonian was in full swing, I still faced plenty of challenges.
My workload at one time, became so exhausting that I had to stop drawing for a solid week or two. I’ve had clients (like most other designers) who were so frustrating to work with and commission requests that no matter what I offered were never satisfactory.
I’ve also struggled with my own artwork. Not only am I my worst critique, but I have had to change so many things to keep up with what is popular while also continuing my own unique style.
I have also found myself facing creative blocks, even for commissions that I was excited for. I sometimes just couldn’t come up with anything worthwhile.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a freelance outdoors illustrator focusing on hunting and fishing graphics.
My primary customers are other entrepreneurs looking to develop their own outdoor brands. I typically create logos and designs for apparel but every now and then face a project much different like a tattoo or car wrap!
How do you define success?
I think being successful in my field of illustration is when your art, after years of perfecting, can bring life into someone else’s business and help to share their story.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.dawsonianoutdoors.com
- Instagram: Dawsonian_outdoors
Image Credits
Saltwater Syndicate
Allen Campbell
