Donnie's Success Champions: Ep. 136 - Donald Dodson Chased Many Paths But It Always Came Back to Arts & Crafts

Ep. 136 - Donald Dodson Chased Many Paths But It Always Came Back to Arts & Crafts

Nov 26, 2018

For as long as Donald Dodson, Jr. can remember, he has been involved in artistic pursuits in his personal life or career.

He started at the age of 16 as a sign painter assistant, and after high school, he pursued a career in graphic arts, eventually finding his home in graphic design and web design.

He also started college to earn a degree in Art.

Alongside that, he pursued numerous crafts such as woodworking, pottery, and jewelry making.

After a combat tour in Iraq in 2004-2005, Dodson switched to his other passion—education—and earned a B.S. in Social Studies and teacher certification to become a History teacher.

But, after eight years of teaching, he longed to return to his passion for the arts and, at 49, started a full-time business doing leatherworking and established Dodson Designs.

He crafts handmade, custom leather goods and accessories with an emphasis on creativity, design, and high quality.

In his words...

“I am most passionate about creating something that is not only artistic, interesting, and creative but also something that has an inherent practical use for the client.

Functional art at its finest.”