74 SIDELINES JULY 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
e
Dana’s Doodles
The Queen of Doodling Joins Sidelines!
By Jan Westmark-Allan
Dana Bauer may be a mom and wife,
as well as a psychologist by degree, but
thanks to the fact that she loves horses and
drawing she has also become a successful
entrepreneur! Dana, who lives in St. Clair,
Michigan, started “Dana’s Doodles” ten
years ago and her Dana’s Doodles Horse Art
& Gifts has become a favorite of equestrians
everywhere. Sidelines is also a big fan
of Dana’s Doodles and we are pleased to
announce that she will be drawing a monthly
cartoon for us. Our readers will be delighted
by her equine inspirations, which begin
with this issue! We chatted with Dana, the
Queen of Doodles, to fnd out what makes
Dana doodle!
When did you fall in love with horses?
I don’t remember ever not loving horses! It
took a lot of constant begging; but I fnally
got riding lessons when I was 12. As part
of my 4-H club, I ended up trying dressage,
jumping, cross-country, western pleasure
and trail classes. All on the same – and
probably tired – horse, of course!
When did you fall in love with drawing?
Just like horses, I can’t remember a time
when I didn’t love to draw.
What inspired Dana’s Doodles?
Nostalgia for my horse show days. I
dabbled in everything, so there were plenty
of mishaps and funny moments.
What do people like best about Dana’s
Doodles?
T-shirts and stall signs, for sure! I started
out just selling prints; but customers wanted
my artwork in a way that was functional, too.
And you can never have enough barn shirts!
Do you have a horse in your life now?
We don’t have a horse right now; but we hang out at the barn
all the time. I’m married with a four year old son and two year
old daughter. The kids love going to the barn with me; but my
son prefers the ducks and cows over the horses. My daughter
is totally into ponies. She puts carrots in a toy shopping cart and
walks the aisle passing them out. My sister, who lives near me, is
also my partner in crime with all things horse related.
What’s the best meal you can cook?
Sweet potato chili with cilantro and black beans
If you could interview anyone, who would it be?
I would love to talk to Polly Paintbrush! She was a huge
inspiration to me when starting my business. Her art was in the
Wild Horsefeathers catalog long before mine. I don’t think she
knows I’ve been stalking her for years now, so I would be really
nervous if I interviewed her!
Do you listen to music when you draw?
I listen to Roadhouse on Sirius all the time. The old country songs
put me in a sweeter place. I’m not good at doodling if I’m upset. I
love Blue Boy and Four Walls by Jim Reeves, Papa was a Rodeo
by the Magnetic Fields, Jackson by Johnny Cash, and Oh What a
World by Rufus Wainwright.
What’s the best advice you’ve followed?
As far as Dana’s Doodles goes, the best advice comes from
customers. When I listen to what they want, my business grows!
Dana’s Doodles can be found at www.danasdoodles.com. “Like”
her on Facebook, too.