“Peace Love Alpacas” Tote Bag

My obsession with animals began at a very young age. It all started at 2 years old with my first dog. I quickly realized dogs didn’t talk back, they love you unconditionally and never judge their human companion. Soon after came my love for art. However, it took me a few years (quite a few!) to get up the nerve to combine the two into my dream job!

I was born and raised in Western NC. I studied Fine Art at Western Piedmont Community College, then Fine Art and Graphic Design at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. However my fear of being a ‘starving artist’ held me back. I changed directions and spent 17 years working a fulfilling career in Occupational Therapy with special needs children. I experienced many of the typical bumps in life that most adults experience. However, in 2015 I experienced a life changing event of losing my father in law and nearly losing my husband in a terrible car accident. It was then I decided life was too short not to at least make an attempt to follow my passion. I combined my love for animals and art into my full time job and couldn’t be happier!