We were lucky to catch up with Amara recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amara, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Creating “the doodle shoppe” has been one of my most meaningful projects. Drawing has always been a passion of mine but as work became a priority, I realized I was not carving out time to create for myself. I often felt overwhelmed, wanting to make something amazing, but worried that it would not come out well. This intimidation prevented creation. I decided to shift my mindset from “must make something awesome” to “let me just doodle.” A doodle is fun and whimsical. There is no pressure to make it perfect which allowed me to draw a lot more.

I started a “doodle blog” back in 2013 to motivate myself to draw something — anything — at least twice a month. I posted original artwork online with a brief description of an event or how I was feeling. I did this through 2020 until it was no longer fun. I wanted to continue doodling but I also wanted to explore new formats and grow.

For my profession, I have enjoyed designing branded items for a network of charter schools and freelance clients. I asked myself, hmmm, why not use my own art on products? I worked to digitize some of my favorite doodles and launched a Redbubble page in 2021: amaranogee.redbubble.com. This print on demand website allows me to upload artwork and sell it world wide without the responsibility of printing and shipping.

The shoppe began as a creative outlet. The positive feedback from friends, family and strangers across social media has inspired me to continue with it, plus I’m still having fun. It is heartwarming to see how many people resonate with the joy of doodling.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Amara Nogee and I am a Graphic Designer, Freelance Artist and Senior Visual Arts Manager. By day, I oversee and help create branding for a network of charter schools. By night, I’m either working on custom designs for clients, doodling or most likely cuddling with my cat by the TV. I grew up playing drawing games with my sister and have loved art since as long as I can remember. When selecting a career path, I thought I would focus on music. Having played the trumpet and french horn for many years, it seemed like the right industry to pursue. However, when I began to look at colleges, I felt this innate sense of stress seeing the practice rooms and imagining juried performances. Just for fun I looked at the art studios available as well and could see myself getting lost in there in the best way. I received a BFA from William Paterson University in 2008 with a concentration in Graphic Design.

As a designer/artist, services include identity development, custom logo designs, portraits, illustrations, signage, swag etc…really anything visual for either print or digital. In my work, I aim to envision, create and connect. I spend a lot of time getting to know my clients, their businesses, their passions…and support turning their visions into something visible. I am most proud when designs resonate and connect with the client and their audiences, reflecting their unique personalities. A successful design/brand takes on a life of its own and can communicate without words.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal/mission in creating the doodle shoppe is simply: joy.

The shoppe is a space to pause from life’s to-dos and embrace the mindless, jovial art of the doodle!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I find the entire creative process rewarding. I once saw it summarized in 6 steps which I fully connected to:

1. This will be awesome
2. This is hard
3. This is sh*t.
4. I’m sh*t
5. This might be ok!
6. This is awesome!

Getting to steps 5 and 6 for both yourself and your clients is unspeakably rewarding. Seeing how your work connects to people and brings them joy, allowing passion projects that become businesses to grow and thrive fills my heart.

Contact Info:

• Website: amaranogee.redbubble.com
• Instagram: @the.doodleshoppe
• Facebook: @thedoodleshoppeASN
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amara-nogee-61b75b62/
• Other: amaranogee.com