The beginning.

So here it is, my new venture into blogging.  I started my first blog when I was 17 or 18 on LiveJournal.com.  It was a huge part of my life for years, and I've made friends that I still have today.  It did get to a point though where I kept my thoughts and feelings more private, and my use of online journaling tapered off.

This blog is an extended view into my world as an artist.  This is new to me, so it will be interesting even for me to be able to go back and see where I've come from.  It took a lot for me to have the courage to put my work out there, and not only that but put a price on it.  But a handful of events came together to give me the spine I always needed to feel confident and motivated to finally do it.

Opening my Etsy store was an exciting burden.  I had a couple of weeks where all I did was ponder the name of the store.  I had an Etsy account, but I knew I needed a shop name that represented what I feel and create.  I chose the name "Love And Whiskers" because the people and animals I love are so important to me, and I know that many others can relate.  I also plan to donate a percentage of my sales on my pet portraits to a charity supporting homeless animals.  I'm currently waiting to hear back from my first choice, I have requested permission from them to use their name on Etsy, listing them as the recipient of the donation.

I had intended to work mainly with upcycled housewares and custom pet portraits, and I have for the most part.  Sometimes it can be tough to find just the right items to repurpose.  I wanted to share my great finds that I purchased second hand yesterday.  These fun little guys will soon have beautiful new lives through my Etsy store.



I work part time as a dog bather for a grooming salon.  Then every free moment I have at home has been dedicated to painting.  I'm happier now than I have been... for as long as I can remember.  I have the fortune to be supported by my husband and family, and I have never felt so invincible.  I'm finally doing something I feel proud of and don't cower at the thought of telling someone what I do for a living.  I take so much pride in the things I do that I let them define me, even though there were times where I had jobs that felt demeaning and embarrassing.

So thank you for following along, this is going to be fun!