We recently connected with Kai Shimizu and have shared our conversation below.

Kai, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The journey to realizing that I wanted to pursue an artistic path professionally has been anything but linear. For over a decade, from the age of 17 to 29, I was deeply ingrained in the restaurant industry, working as a line cook. Yet, even amidst the hustle and bustle of kitchen life, my pencil would find its way into my hands, and I’d lose myself in doodles during my off-hours. Cooking wasn’t really my calling, although I didn’t know it at the time. To be honest, it often felt like I was a square peg in a round hole. My colleagues, deeply passionate about cooking, would go home and perfect their culinary skills, while I found solace in my sketches.

The turning point came when I hit 29. I found myself emotionally and physically burned out, prompting me to leave my job at Russian River Vineyard in Sonoma and move back to Los Angeles. Not long after resettling, an artist I connected with on Instagram commissioned me to create a piece for them. That piece consumed me for 50 hours, which was the longest I’d ever spent on a single drawing. The experience was transformative, reminding me just how much I loved to draw. It was a lightning-bolt moment; that’s when I realized drawing wasn’t just a hobby for me—it was my calling.

Now, this doesn’t mean I regret my time in the restaurant industry. On the contrary, it taught me invaluable lessons. For one, it opened me up to a world of diverse cuisines, each deeply connected to its culture. Studying wine also gave me a nuanced understanding of geography and piqued my interest in the rich histories of wine regions. Most importantly, it honed my social skills. If I had dove straight into art, I probably would have been a hermit, confined to my ‘cave,’ unaware of the incredible artistic community that awaited me. So in a way, my time in the restaurant world prepared me to step into my true role as an artist. It’s a dilemma of sorts—I’ll always have a love for the restaurant scene and want to be a part of it, but I also know I’m not suited to run one. However, one thing is for certain: I am exactly where I need to be right now, and that’s following my artistic passion.

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?

To be completely honest, I’m still navigating my way through the art world, so it’s a bit challenging to say exactly how I ‘got into the industry.’ I juggle my artistic pursuits alongside a server job that pays the bills, so calling myself a professional artist would feel premature. But one thing is certain: I’ve always had an innate love for drawing, a passion that’s guided me every step of the way.

In terms of services, my aim is pretty straightforward—I want to share the joy of doodling with everyone who comes across my work. I don’t offer intricate masterpieces or solve complex artistic problems; I provide a slice of fun and a momentary escape through my doodles. I guess you could say the ‘problem’ I solve is injecting a little lightness and joy into people’s day-to-day lives.

What am I most proud of? Well, that’s still a work in progress. My journey is very much ongoing, and I’m okay with that. As cheeky as it may sound, I’ll probably be figuring that out until I drop dead with a pencil in my hand! But I’m incredibly grateful for the community I’ve built—friends, fans, and followers who interact with me and find some form of happiness or inspiration through my doodles.

Now, about my brand. My work primarily revolves around two themes: ‘popodoodle’ and ‘Skellys.’ Both are closely tied to the concept of ‘memento mori,’ or the acknowledgment that our time here is finite. This philosophy pushes me to do what I love, which, in this context, means doodling whatever my heart desires. Skellys, my skeletal creations, serve as a constant reminder to enjoy life while it lasts. Plus, drawing human faces has never been my strong suit, so focusing on skeletons aligns perfectly with both my skill set and thematic interests.

In summary, if there’s one thing I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know, it’s this: my work is an honest extension of who I am—a person who loves to doodle, cherishes the community built around it, and is ever-curious about where this path will lead.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a creative, for me, is the sense of independence it brings when it comes to personal entertainment and fulfillment. I don’t have to rely solely on external sources for inspiration or joy. This isn’t to say I don’t appreciate or need the work of other creatives—quite the opposite, actually. Experiencing the creativity of others often ignites my own creative drive, enriching my perspective and pushing me to explore new avenues in my own work.

So, in essence, being creative serves as both a self-sustaining ecosystem and a gateway to a larger community of inspiration. It’s a perpetual cycle where my work is fueled by the artistry of others, and hopefully, my own creations offer the same spark to those who come across them. That duality—of both independence and interconnectedness—is what I find most rewarding about this path.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I hit roadblocks like self-doubt or artist’s block, my resilience shows in how I go back to basics. I dig deep to remember why I started creating in the first place. Stripping away all the external pressures and expectations helps me refocus and find the simple joy in drawing again. It’s my way of pushing through challenges to keep doing what I love.

Contact Info:

• Website: Popodoodle-studio.com
• Instagram: popodoodle
• Facebook: Popodoodle
• Twitter: popo_doodle
• Youtube: popodoodle_channel