ARTIST HISTORY
As a graphic artist for gardeningtshirts.store, my passion for T-shirt design began at age eight, inspired by my mother's artistry. She created hand-painted quilt blocks and tea towels before making T-shirts for us to wear to school with Tri-chem and Artsy tube paints. Fascinated by her creativity, I learned techniques like mirroring images and painting on fabric. My first design was a rose from my mom’s garden, which we dyed pink then I painted my first t-shirt. Over time, I experimented with various colors, styles, and materials, creating detailed shirts and gifts for friends, and expanding my art to canvasses, statues, and rocks.
Later they developed Cameo paint sets which were a little different, but I found them easier to paint with. In the 1980’s I began making T-shirts for my son to wear to school. His favorite one was a monkey playing basketball, and another one that said, “I’m somebody special because God doesn’t make junk”. He wore it to religion classes.
In 1984, I opened a retail shop called Westside Bait & Tackle, where I sold bait to fishing enthusiasts. To keep my business going during the off-season, I added Anne’s Collectibles & Gifts, offering my own art designs as gifts throughout the winter. The store was conveniently located behind our home, which allowed me to stay at home with my young son. My mother and I invested in T-shirts so I could continue painting my own designs, and I took custom orders for specific sizes and colors. I began using the printer-transfer paper to iron on designs when I didn’t want to hand paint each one.
To share my work, I participated in craft shows around the state, visited flea markets, and held garage sales. Driven by a passion for creativity, I experimented with various artistic mediums. As the internet evolved, I dreamed of starting an online T-shirt store one day devoted to the niche I love the most--Gardening.
In 1996 I went through a difficult time when my first husband and I divorced. Creativity helped me get through the rough spots, but gardening also became my escape. I made my own jewelry designs for every occupation and hobby, began writing lots of poetry then developed a line of bracelets I called my storybook-beadwear. I took classes in PSD and other photo restoration programs, and writing classes in 1996. My mother-in-law Jackie helped me create my first gift catalog in 1999 as a wedding present for us. No matter what the changes, I kept making T-shirts.
I began working in the field of Corrections for Saline County in October of 1996, hoping I could keep working with my retail store too. I remarried, (a wonderful man who is my design artist partner) in January 2000. In 2008 things got too hectic with all the long work hours 12-hour shifts or more, getting older, and bigger responsibilities so I devoted my gift sales to my email contacts, personal acquaintances, and on-line net-working through social media. I kept the building for my artist studio/workshop and office since it is next to our home.
I am a state-recognized artist in Kansas, known for my hand-illustrated book "The Worse Fishin’ Trip," which uses poetry and humor. I have sold books, journals, coloring books, jewelry, and t-shirts through various retailers and online platforms. Despite the rising sales commissions making local sales less profitable, I have accomplished over 40 years of retail experience and more than 60 years’ experience as a T-shirt artist/designer. I joined the Kansas Author’s Club in 2004, held various office positions for District 4 and served on the State Board of KAC. In 2005 my poetry book Captivated was nominated for one of the best poetry books of the year. In 2008, I was nominated for the position of Poet Laureate of Kansas among other poetry artists.
When my mother suffered a stroke in 2011, I found solace in gardening and drawing animals to comfort her during long hospital stays. These creative outlets eased both of us. Before she passed away in October 2016, she encouraged me to continue pursuing my passions, and I promised her that I would never give up on my dream.
I have over 350 books on Amazon now, mostly different types of journals, coloring books, and Poetry books. My best seller is called Taffy’s Wonderful Miracle. It’s a children’s story designed as a coloring book written and illustrated by me. Also, my gardening journals have recently become popular. I design my own book covers too.
After a 27-year career in Corrections, I transitioned to focus on my passion for creating. Since 1996, we have successfully sold products through platforms such as Amazon, Etsy, Kansas Originals, eBay, and various other online and brick-and-mortar stores besides our own retail store. In July 2024, my son and I launched the Kai Dragon Gardening & Cooking channel on YouTube to support the growth of his business as a mother-son team. I write most of the content. When our son developed significant health challenges, I found renewed motivation in gardening and design, which continue to be meaningful pursuits.
Our new venture with gardeningtshirts.store provides our family with an exciting opportunity to continue pursuing our passion, and we hope that you will appreciate our designs as well. We are committed to ongoing growth and excellence, and we value your trust. We invite you to allow us the opportunity to bring you satisfaction and enjoyment through our products.