Hi, I’m Shannon.

I’m the creator of the Happy Belly Cats.

If my inner 8-year-old could see me right now, she would squeal with absolute delight and say, “Are you for real? We get to grow up, draw, paint, and create cats for a living?” I was that kid who loved cats. My walls were covered in cat posters, shelves lined up neatly with cat stuffed animals (each one named, of course), cat books, and let’s not forget my Garfield cat wall phone.

I loved cats so much that I was convinced I was going to become a vet when I grew up. I chose to become a teacher and spent several years inside and outside the classroom.

Then life shifted.

At some point, I started to feel like I was going to do something with cats again. It was an intuitive nudge I couldn’t explain, and I definitely didn’t have a plan.

I bought some art supplies and started drawing, coloring, and painting. These adorable chonky little cats in overalls showed up and kind of took on a life of their own. Somewhere in there, a little heart started showing up too, which has become my quiet signature. I didn’t question it. I just kept creating.

Somewhere along the way, I realized it wasn’t just about the cats. It was about how creating them made me feel. It was joy, and it was something I wanted to share with others.

Now I get to do that in a few different ways.

I host playshops where people come paint, color, relax, and just have fun creating their own unique Happy Belly Cats. I send out Meow Mail, which is a Happy Belly Cat of the month that shows up in your mailbox. I keep creating these cats that somehow keep turning into new ideas.

If you like being creative, laughing a little, and not taking things too seriously, you’ll feel right at home.

I’m really glad you stopped by.