About | Felinova

Hi, I’m Shannon.

I’m the person behind Happy Belly Cats, and honestly, if you had told me a few years ago that I would be sitting here creating chonky cats in overalls, I’m not sure I would have believed you.

My inner 8-year-old self, however, would not be surprised at all. I was obsessed with cats when I was little. My bedroom walls were covered in cat posters. I had shelves of stuffed cats, and every single one had a name. I had cat books, cat stuff everywhere, and I even had a Garfield wall phone. I really wish I still had that phone.

I was so sure I was going to grow up and become a veterinarian. However, once I learned everything that they had to do, that didn't happen.

I became a teacher and spent several years working both inside and outside the classroom. I loved a lot about teaching, especially the creative parts, but my life ended up going in all kinds of directions I never could have predicted.

Then a few years ago, I started getting this feeling that I was going to do something with cats again. I had no idea what that meant. It was just one of those intuitive nudges that wouldn't leave me alone.

Eventually I bought some art supplies and started playing. I drew. I colored. I painted. I wasn't trying to start a business or figure out what any of it was supposed to become. I was just having fun.

Then these cats kept showing up. They were round, smiling, chonky cats wearing colorful patchwork overalls, and I LOVED them.

Everything you see in Happy Belly Cats starts by hand. I draw and paint all of my art freehand. I don't start with a digital illustration or a template. It's just me, my art supplies, some paper, and whatever cat decides to show up that day. I use ink, acrylic paint markers, and watercolors with each one.

Once the original artwork is finished, I scan it into my computer. That's how those hand-drawn cats eventually make their way into Meow Mail, postcards, stickers, and all the other things I'm creating.

I actually love that they're not perfectly perfect. Sometimes a line is a little wonky or something isn't exactly even. That's part of them. They came out of my hands that way, so they get to stay that way.

Somewhere along the way, little hearts started showing up in my art too. I didn't plan that either. They just kept appearing, so I let them stay. They've become a little love signature in my work now.

Then the cats started getting names and personalities, and before I knew it, they had a whole whimsical little world called Clover Patch. The name is personal to me too. I was born the day after St. Patrick's Day, and I've always loved clovers. They've followed me through my life in different ways, so when these cats needed somewhere to live, Clover Patch was the perfect match.

Now Clover Patch has its own characters, stories, celebrations, and even a tiny newspaper. Honestly, sometimes I feel like I'm just finding out what happens there along with everyone else.

There are a couple of ways you can come play in this little world too.

I host Happy Belly Cats playshops where you can come paint and create your own cat. You don't need to know how to paint, and there really isn't a right or wrong way to do it. I love watching everyone's cat come to life because somehow, even though we all start in the same place, no two cats ever look alike.

Meow Mail lets you become part of Clover Patch in a completely different way. When you join, you become an Official Citizen of Clover Patch with your own Clover Patch address. Your first delivery includes your citizen certificate, welcome letter, The Clover Patch Post newspaper, collectible postcard, cat sticker, and your ticket for the monthly Clover Patch Theatre musical.

As a test run, I recently sent Meow Mail to my 10-year-old granddaughter and asked her what her favorite part was. I thought she'd say the sticker, the postcard, or one of the cats.

She said, "Going to the mailbox and opening it."

I asked if she would be excited to receive a new letter each month with a new cat, postcard, and newspaper, and she said, "Heck yeah!"

I loved that answer.

There's still something really fun about getting an envelope with your name on it and not knowing what's waiting for you inside. I think that's a feeling we could all use a little more of, no matter how old we are.

I'm really glad you stopped by, and I hope Happy Belly Cats makes you smile just as much as creating them makes me.

Happy Belly Cats

Phone: 1-509-960-1756

Email: happybellycats@gmail.com