the journey of a lifetime started with a pencil, paper, and a rebellious spirit.
Thirty-four years ago, I started a journey I never expected, and what began as a way to express myself became a way to make one hell of a living.
But it was never supposed to be that way.
At age 54, I’m still giving the finger to critics and the status quo.
As far back as I can remember, I was always drawing as a kid. If I had a pencil and paper, I could unleash the power of my imagination and create whatever came to mind.
Being able to express myself this way was a tremendous gift, and it didn’t bother me that the girls in grade school loved my ability to draw them pictures, earning me hugs, a few coins, and sometimes even a smooch on the cheek. I guess this is when I learned the value of my artistic talents.
Unfortunately, my elementary teachers weren’t as easily amused.
So it should come as no surprise I was constantly in trouble for this endless creativity or that most of my report cards included negative comments about not reaching my potential as a student. Yet it was my fourth-grade teacher’s words that set the tone for the adversity I’d continually face as an artist.
“Jimmy, you’ll never make anything of your life because you draw way too much.”
This is just one of many report card reports I still have from grade school. Note that I got an unsatisfactory grade in art for NOT doing the projects the class did. LOL!
Despite the cruel harshness of her statement, this would become the catalyst for my future success. Like pouring gasoline on a raging fire, these words would ignite a passion inside of me to do everything possible to prove to my haters and doubters they were wrong. This has served me well over the years.
High school wasn’t any different. My grades suffered because my time was invested in creative pursuits and getting stoned. Ironically, I almost failed Honors Art because that was the one class I didn’t want to draw in. Regardless, I found a way to escape permanent detention and eventually graduated in 1988.
During my senior year, I accidentally discovered the business side of art.
My freedom of expression led me down a path toward psychedelic, rebellious, and erotic style designs — artwork that really pushed the limits then and certainly would offend the overly sensitive culture today.
I’d use Sharpie pens and an airbrush to decorate t-shirts, Levis 501s, All-Star Converse, VANS, and jean jackets with the craziest shit I could create. And the kids loved it! So they paid me cash to customize their clothing and my ‘rockstar designer’ status took off.
This was when my first business, *Dogman Designs, was born.
Visual proof from 1985 that I was using the name Dogman way before Dav Pikey. Additionally, I don’t promote school violence, but at this time in life, I was bullied and angry.
In 1989, I began slinging paint and airbrushing on anything I could.
I also decided to enroll in a commercial art trade school (don’t ask me why), where I learned about advertising, marketing, plotters, vinyl lettering, and the beginning stages of desktop publishing. Of course, in true Jimmy Dalman fashion, I often ignored my teacher’s instructions and did what I wanted with all those available resources.
As soon as class was over, I’d spend hours programming the vinyl plotter to make dozens of one-color decals of band logos on the school’s dime, which I would then sell for cash or trade for weed. This was a very lucrative deal for me!
During this time, my dad also bought an IBM Personal Computer, which would allow me to discover the power of technology and Corel Draw. I would learn to create logos, brochures, business cards, and other printable items.
Over the next few years, I got into mural painting, window painting, screen printing, commercial printing, sign making, embroidery, and other creative skills.
This diversified range of creative experiences is unique because not many people have been able to learn old-school and new-school techniques, nor do they understand how art translates into the different forms of media. All of these abilities would open up new opportunities for my career and making money.
But the game changer was yet to come.
The internet.
Those of you who were alive in the late 80s will likely remember the dial-up tones, waiting for a connection, and discovering the very first form of the online world. It was like some form of magic!
Many years later, I managed to learn some basic programming skills, but I was never really good at it and hated the analytic side of it all. Everything changed though when I encountered WordPress and Squarespace and started blogging in 2003.
Not only did I grow a huge audience online, I had people asking me to help them design their websites and blogs, which resulted in making money with the internet. This new business opportunity exploded and blew open the doors of incredible possibilities.
In 2004, I helped launch Church Plant Media, a custom website company for churches, and then in 2008, I joined a start-up called iThemes, where I designed some of the very first premium themes and services in the WordPress marketplace.
Both incorporated my ideas that I was told would never work. Both were pioneers and set the standards in their industry. Both were hugely successful and profitable. And unfortunately, both fucked me over in the end.
Regardless, I took these valuable business lessons and experiences and decided to launch out again on my own, creating a handful of companies in the digital space. Most failed, some succeeded, but all were mine and mine alone. I designed dozens of websites for clients, working less and earning more than I ever thought possible.
Finally, in 2020, I was burned out, and it was time for me to take a year off. We sold our house and everything we owned to start traveling full-time, which has been the greatest decision and adventure in my life.
It was then I decided to return to my first love of creating custom artwork, as well as finally launching my brand for t-shirts and other products.
Which brings me full circle.
My dream has been to return to what started this journey in the first place.
Ever since I began trading time for dollars, which isn’t a bad thing, I’ve desired to work on projects that bring me the same feeling and rewards as they did in 1988.
With dozens of notebooks filled with ideas, there’s no shortage of possibilities, and I want to invest more of my time doing stuff I’ve wanted to create for decades.
I’ve decided to relaunch my old venture under the business name my dad used for his custom-designed European cabinet company, dalman designs. It’s my way of keeping the family name while honoring my parents, who always supported me even when I constantly got into trouble for my creativity. Thank you, mom and dad! ♥️
My life has been a hell of a ride, and it’s amazing to think how a pencil, a piece of paper, and a rebellious spirit led me down a path I will never regret.
I look forward to where this new adventure might take me.
‘NUFF SAID!
*Dogman Designs: My nickname in high school was “Dogman,” and I was the original party animal. I told people I was half man, half dog, and my tagline was “Do It Dogstyle!” I’m pissed I didn’t keep and trademark this name, given its popularity today. Fuck you, Dav Pikey, for taking my name! 😝
