Today we’d like to introduce you to Boss Dog.
Boss Dog, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I am a creative free spirit named Boss Dog with a clothing brand of the same name. I live with my wife Sam and our two dogs Bud and Hulk in 29 Palms on the border of Joshua Tree National Park. Sam and I have scrapped thru enough tough times to have a good sense of humor, patience, and hard work ethics. We’re loyal to each other and our dogs. Together we do Boss Dog full time. It is our business and more importantly, our entire lives. We live and breathe it. It’s tricky trying to be happily married and run a successful business together, but so far so good!
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I run a clothing and lifestyle brand called Boss Dog. I am a graphic artist and illustrator — I sometimes paint too. I’ll take commissions sometimes to help pay the bills, but mostly I run my brand Boss Dog. It’s my passion and it takes up every corner of my mind let alone day. I have always been searching for the world’s most perfect t-shirt — and I love t-shirt graphic design — so after years of doing t-shirts for other people and organizations, I decided to just do what I like and see if it takes off. My wife Sam runs our web store and we do pretty consistently direct to consumer biz. I also have Boss Dog apparel in Zumiez, Hot Topic, Wicked Clothes, and Dolls Kill. Running my own business and being the main artist behind the business is a ton of work. I couldn’t do it without Sam. Bud and Hulk are not much helped though!
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
I think to be the very real definition is being able to make a living doing what you love without having to sacrifice your integrity. So, I need to make the numbers work financially for me and my family. I’m not interested in having my ego boosted on Instagram or seeing how many followers I get if I can’t pay my bills. I am trying to translate what I do into financial stability. I am motivated to know my worth and pursue things that can help pay me what I am worth because I don’t get financial assistance from family (never have) and I’ve been doing this long enough that I know how much being poor sucks. All that being said, if I start doing things only because of the money then I’m not so happy. So, it’s a balance. Sometimes integrity wins, sometimes I have to make compromises. Overall we are happy!
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can support by checking Boss Dog out online: bossdogart.com or on Instagram: @bosssdog — also you can find my stuff through Zumiez and Hot Topic just go to their sites and search: “Boss Dog”. It makes my day when people get stoked on the brand.
Contact Info:
- Website: bossdogart.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @bosssdog
Image Credit:
Photos taken by Sam McKennedy
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