FAN MAIL "Greetings. I happened upon your site while doing a Google Image search for pictures from from Alloway, NJ. It was your painting, “Garden Party,” that lured me in. Your images are very impressive and expressive. I recently earned my B.S. in psychology and certificate in gerontology and your positive portrayal of older adults in your paintings impressed me most. The joy in their faces comes across so beautifully. I really enjoyed visiting your site." ~ Heather Mason, Bridgeton, NJ "I first saw Miriam's Tea Party at my dentist's office, Pinehurst, Idaho, (2 years ago) on the wall facing the "chair." What a hoot! It reminded me so much of my mother, sister and self! I have been trying to find where to get your work since then! Then I had a visitor last summer and she gave me the card Bahama Mama's when she left. How could she know I loved your work? She evidently saw us in your work too! Please keep doing what you are doing. The pictures are so full of LIFE!" ~ Merilyn Ackerman, Smelterville, ID "Your art is such a refreshing change. Every piece makes me smile, and smiling is like oxygen for the soul!" ~ Barbara N., Lawrence, MA "I´m Brazilian and when I found you website I loved! It´s very happy! Your paints reflect how much you enjoy life! Congratulations! " ~ Oliveira Lúcia Helena, Brasilia, Brazil "Wow your work is GREAT. I will have to save up to buy at least one if not more. I love cats, and these painting really capture the cat's attitude without it being the total focus. I laughed out loud at some of these :) " ~ Andrea Young, Post Falls, ID "I saw two of your painting in a store in our mall and fell in love. In fact, I am a cat lover and my house, well....it's a little overwhelming. I have begged my husband for "My Jewels" for Christmas. Now I can show him your website and hopefully Santa will suprise me. I know I am going to be one of these women when I mature." ~ Wendy W., Lemoore, CA "I first became familiar with Shelly's work this past weekend. I stood in front of the art shop with my best friend and looked at Bahama Mamas. We both just started laughing and said that will be us in 30 years. I love her work and can't wait to collect all her pieces. I do have a number of relatives who are getting her work for Christmas. Thank you Shelly for making me laugh!" ~ Erin W., North Bend, WA "1st bought a print of one of your pieces in Conway, NH and have loved your work since. I've also bought some of your cards at a book dealer in Hampton, NH. I am a cat lover and you hit the spot." ~ Sandy Thibault, Londonderry, NH "Shelly, It was nice to have met you at the met- looking forward to receiving the Bahama Mamas picture to add to the rest of my collection. Hope you decide to come back to NH soon." ~ Beth B., Conway, NH "Hi Shelly! - I love your paintings they are really cute! Wish I had the money I would get the Bahama Mamas for my god mom the one on the left kind of looks like her *hehe* Many Blessings! Take care!" ~ Polar I., Marysville, WA "Hi Shelly! We just got home from meeting you at The Met in North Conway. We are so pleased to be the first people to purchase Bahama Mamas. We also are thrilled to have Miriam's Tea Party & Garden Party. Looking forward to adding to the collection. FYI - our new dining room has been officially named "Shelly's Room" thanks to your artwork! Glen! Diane & Andrew" ~ Diane & Andrew H., North Conway, NH "I recently saw your work when passing by a Deck the Walls store here in Alpharetta, GA. I immediately stopped and went in and have been saving for one of your pieces ever since. This is the type of artwork I LOVE to hang in my home. It is so joyful and makes me smile." ~ Melissa D., Alpharetta, GA "I purchased Miriam's Tea Party recently. I had a fire in my house and after I remodeled I wanted something cheerful, I saw that canvas and laughed and had to take it home with me. My kids (cats actually), Hairball, Fazio and Mel laugh right along with me. the 4 of us have been known to gaze and that canvas and just laugh. I also purchased your note cards which have made many of my friends laugh right along with me." ~ Kathi C., West Yarmouth, MA "I just discovered your artwork this past weekend and I bought 5 of your matted 16X20 prints. I framed them and hung them up today and I just can\'t stop smiling at them. I MUST add Miriam's Tea Party and Two Old Toms to my collection. Maybe after all the bills are paid next month... I have two cat's Gladys and Phoebe who were here helping me frame the pictures by sitting on top of them. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with the rest of the world!!!" ~ Tammi S., Lacey, WA "Hello Dear Shelly: Seeing your art work in Coeur d' Alene, Id. was such a thrill for me, feeling rather depressed at the time it brought a smile to my face and warmth in my heart which is what you sought to create. I know every person in your paintings from my 60 year past living in different states . I would love to meet you and talk about your art. I am a peron who dabbles in art lessons here and there. Was born in the swamps of Lake Erie, and have a life\'s dream of painting my childhood memories, started laying out the first in a series and then moved over to Seattle area and it is on hold, never to be forgotton. My question is, could I ever meet you? Do you ever give lessons? Thank you for taking time to read my comments." ~ Darlene R., Woodinville, WA "I am so excited, I cant wait to get my picture!! I ordered last night.. I think I'll do the Bestest Friends, and the Choc. one next week.... I have a new office being built, and I think I need to liven the place up a little! Again, you are soo talented.. but Im sure you hear that ALL the time!" ~ Michelle "We purchased Anniversary Bliss before reading the card, then noted how it fit us to a tee. Your painting has a place of honor in our family room; I plan to obtain Miriam's Tea Party if Bell's has it. I've shown your work to all of my office cronies; several of us aren't far from retirement, so your work has great appeal. I would have sworn you were an Alaskan. That's a compliment. Please keep up the great work." ~ Harvey H., Anchorage, AK "my favorite piece is " BESTEST FRIENDS"- that I recently purchased- I can't help but smile every time I look at it... thank you.... " ~ Nadine S., Austin, TX "I fell in love with your "Cat Companions Art" the first time I saw it and knew that eventually I would own a piece. Today was the day. I purchased "The Power of Chocolate" and the Note Card set. They all just make me laugh. I only buy art that touches me in some way. Yours does. Thank you." ~ Joy G., Gering, NE "My daughter is going to be a Grandma for the first time in March 2004. I can envision her rocking in her chair wildly, feet in the air, holding that bundle of joy with it's pointed ears and big fluffy tail sticking out from beneath the pink blanket. Of course she would have a glass of wine, and a kokopelli on the night-stand. We really love your work!" ~ Judy O., Middletown, CT "I just purchased Southern Rose. I have been told by many of my friends that one day, that will be me. I love the color fuschia and I am always dressed up. I was Mr. Maine America in 1999. I would truly love any information you may have about this woman. I would also love it if you could personalize and autograph a note for me to attach to my picture of Southern Rose. Thank you in advance. Your work is unique and beautiful." ~ Alicia G., Fryeburg, ME "Recently when in Eureka Springs Arkansas I passed a shop that had Miriams Tea Party in the window and all I could do was laugh so hard. I have been a cat lover all of my life also and my maiden name is Shelley Wilkins, so I just had to buy the print. Bestest Friends was my second favorite because my mom said that it reminded her of my grandmother and her best friend laughing over old times. I love your art and hope to collect more in the future. My mother bought the collection of cards but feels that she will never be able to use them cause she wouldn\'t want to give then up! Keep up the good work." ~ Shelley B., Blanchard, OR "I think your work is spectacular! I own Elegance Bridals in Canisteo NY and just came from Ruperts in Hornell. I immediately saw one of your paintings and got the biggest grin on my face. I am in love with the best friends and have asked Mark to contact you regarding its purchase! You truly have a marvelous gift! You are truly blessed! It's wonderful to be able to share your gift with others! You make us smile! Thanks!" ~ Madeleine S., Canisteo, NY "I was introduced to your art at the Fine Art Gallery in Marietta and it's the best thing that's happened all week. Thank you so much for bringing a smile when I needed it most. You do a wonderful job of bringing the expressions inside of the little Buster Keatons that I think they would express externally if they could. You've well captured two of my favorite things in life- cats and red wine!" ~ Marci and Mike W., Alexandria, VA "I haven't purchased a print yet, I really can't afford it, but one day I suspect I will have one. Your art work is wonderfully fresh, funny and so true. Cats are faithful and loving, yet independant, like us. Thank you for putting a smile on my face every time I see your work." ~ Sherry Laws, Greeneville, TN "I have always loved art and do some drawing myself. I have never seen anything like this before and am at a point in my life where laughter doesn't come as often as I wish it could. These make me smile everytime I look at them. I have purchased two of them and will be purchasing more. You have a great talent." ~ Mikell Sewell, Spokane, WA "While shopping with my daughter last fall in Georgia, we saw three pieces of Shelly's work. I fell in love with all three but since red is my favorite color, the red one was what I kept going back to. Amy, being a good dayghter, told dad what it would take to make mama happy. When Christmas came, The Power of Chocolate was mine and I love it more each day as it hangs on the kitchen wall where I see it as I go in and out and oppisite my end of the table. Today is my 59th birthday and I am now the proud owner of Southern Rose. He did this all on his own and my daughter sent me Series 1 note cards. After seeing them, let me assure you I am not sending them to anyone. They are mine and I ain't sharing. I'll buy another set to use for friends. Shelly's work is pure joy and Smokey, Hazie(Baby Hazel) and I never tire of looking at it." ~ Elizabeth McDowell, Athens, AL "THE MOST PRECIOUS THING IN THE WORLD TO ME OTHER THAN MY FAMILY ARE MY CATS, (THEY ARE MY SECOND FAMILY). THIS WONDERFUL ARTWORK IS REALLY SPECIAL AND CAPTURES CATS AS ONLY ANOTHER DEVOTED CAT LOVER WOULD BE ABLE TO. I AM SO DEVOTED TO CATS THAT I CARRY FOOD IN MY CAR AT ALL TIMES IN CASE I SEE A SKINNY OR HUNGRY LOOKING CAT, I THINK I WAS ONE IN A PAST LIFE. J'ADORE PUSSYCATS!!!" ~ KERRY BRADY, HULL, UK "I love your paintings. They are great! They are cute and funny." ~ Shannon Rear, Douglas, AK "I saw your "Bahama Mamas" in the window of The Poster Warehouse as my friends and I were mall walking. The gals are a hoot, but the laughing cat is the perfect finishing touch! It got to be the highlight of my walk everytime I made that loop. It brightened a chore that was otherwise made pleasant only by the company of friends. Alas, when I decided I HAD to have it to share with another friend (who also loves cats and good wine!) it was gone!!!! Just finding it again on the website makes me smile (: Any chance it will soon become a part of the hysterical set of notecards? Or a smaller print that might be more affordable for a gift? I love your work!" ~ Carol Anderson, Tucson, AZ "I purchased Bestest Friends. It made me laugh. You caught the spirit of friendship." ~ Lloretta Haefele, Bath, NY "It is difficult to choose a second favorite....So many would be my second favorite. I happened to choose Miriam's Tea Party as favorite because of the cat's expression. Your pictures just make me smile! As said, every home needs a touch of whimsy....and these prints certainly fill that bill." ~ Sandy Janiskee, Columbia, SC "I love your work - it always makes me smile. I have never been into collecting art until now. Thanks!" ~ Mary Mooney, West Wyoming, PA "Cat Nap is so cute. The siamese in it looks exactly like my Sassy, even down to the crabby temperment. I was wondering if the subjects in your pieces are real people and their cats? I have a Sphynx (hairless) cat and would love to have a portrait done of us someday. Even if I just sent some photos to you and had something painted from them. I absolutely love your work!! Your paintings exude such heart, humor, and talent. Happy holidays!" ~ Suzanne Perry, Bulverde, TX "I LOVE YOUR WORK! YOUR WORK REFLECTS SO MUCH EMOTION WITH GREAT EXPRESSION DEPICTING "HAPPY TRUE AMERICANA TIMES." If given an actual photo of my family entitled "Little Bo-Pinni, Fluffy Mc- Nini, and Rat-Bastard Bo-Gini" would you be interested in creating your comical version of our family portrait? We look forward to hearing from you!" ~ Lorie McCarthy, Kingston, PA "Just bought Miriams' tea party, for us 3 friends in Eureka Springs Ar,,this picture is so true to our personalities our best friend of the bunch said she had to have, she will be leaving us soon from cancer...Thanks for the great picture just one more thing added to our special memories.. " ~ Julie, Sharon, Margie, Oklahoma City, OK "Just wanted you to know that I love your candid pics of the cats. I signed your book twice because I am using my laptop with a young tom sleeping across my right arm and I hit the wrong button before I could finish sending you a thank you for making me laugh. I am putting the Southside Gallery website on our links page for our car club, www.aikenhorsepower.com because Thom Abbott is a member of our club. You have a charming sense of humor and I thoroughly enjoyed looking at your art! And I hope our club members will take a look and have the same reaction I had!" ~ Barbara Gunter, Aiken, SC "I love your work, it reminds me of a modern day Norman Rockwell....very fun!!!" ~ Kimberlee Bowman, Tucker, GA "I passed an art store in Cola, SC and saw the painting "Miriam's Tea Party". I am hooked. Need more note cards. I am out and absolutely love the combination. . . all the comfort in the world. . .friends, chocolate, cats and wine." ~ Brenda Ferguson, Clyde, NC "Your paintings are awesome! It's nice to see what you and your cat(s) may look like in 25 years or so....." ~ Kathy Graham, Austin, TX "I love all of your artwork!! It makes me laugh and adds alot of color to my home!" ~ Kori LePore, Mount Vernon, NY "Shelly, I first saw your paintings last summer at an art gallery in North Conway,NH. I just fell in love. I purchased five small matted and framed prints. Recently, we returned to the restaurant which held our wedding reception a couple of years ago in N. Conway and by coincidence we were seated in the same small room where our reception actually took place and directly above our table were two of your large paintings. I have to say that the food was disappointing but I smiled through the entire meal because I was staring at your paintings that I adore so much. Miriam's Tea Party and the Power of Chocolate were keeping us company. I was convinved at that moment that I would have to purchase a large framed reproduction in order for my life to be complete. Thanks for making me smile, Shelly You are a truly gifted individual." ~ Carol Cotterly, Penacook, NH "Hi Shelly, I just wanted to let you know, this evening my husband and I purchased your Bahama Mama's. We love this painting it is the one we fell in love with a year ago at the Thomas Kinkade gallery. Tonight when we brought it home our 3 almost 4 on April 10th tabby (Duke), saw the painting and went up to the cat in the painting and began to sniff it as it were real! The painting is so life like that he had to take a second look. Thank you for do these paintings you are truly an amazing artist. We look forward to purchasing more in the future. " ~ April, Jeff, and Duke Scrimpsher, San Antonio, TX "I totally love your art! As a cat lover and a wine lover (and not necessarily in that order) I love your concept. I see you have paintings in a local art shop and I am anxious to go check them out. " ~ Sandy Greene, Wayne, PA "I would love to see your art. Do you have any art in the Kansas City area? Westport is having a art fair this weekend are you in that? I love your art and looking forward in purchasing some pieces. As I'm in a little group called the Fun Seekers and this is perfect. As we just like to have fun. Have a great day." ~ Roxene Smyser, Olathe, KS "I absolutely love this work! I came across an article while flying on Airtran in their magazine. I stole the page, and now I'm addicted. Keep them coming." ~ Susan Taylor, Lake Worth, FL "First saw 'Miriam's Tea Party' in a gallery at the Mall of America, could not stop smiling and giggling. I knew I had to have the print, just had to figure out how to get it home in a compact car with 3 girlfriends who had also made mega purchases. Decided to wait until the next time I made a trip to the mall, wrote down all the info print title and artist name, of course I lost that information... but I NEVER forgot the title, believe me I have been searching everywhere - did a google search and here I am!" ~ Pamela Navarro, Fargo, ND " I saw your web site in Cats & Kittens magazine which was given to me by my cousin. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known you existed. I have not quit smiling since looking at the pieces pictured on the site. I do intend to make a purchase, but it's going to take me some time to decide which one's to start with. I actually had a hard time picking my favorite and second favorite on the newsletter request form because I love them all!!!" ~ Brenda Unrue, Charleston, WV "This is the best art, it makes me laugh and gives you a good feeling just to look at it." ~ Sally Maxfield, Santa Clara, UT "I recently bought two canvas paintings. I just love them. Everyone who comes to our house falls in love with them at first sight." ~ Karen Gelberg, Edison, NJ "I love cats, I love cats so much. I don't know what i would do without my cats and thats why i love cat art. I love it, I love it." ~ Kayce Downs, Ames, IA "Do you use models for your art? "Slot Machine Queen" looks eerily like my best friend's late mom who was a frequent visitor to Las Vegas!" ~ Marilyn Shovers, Milwaukee, WI "Being a true cat and people lover, this has to be the most adorable artwork I've seen in years." ~ Arlene Silva, Cameron, MT "Just received one of your notecards....this is the first time I've ever seen them! I LOVE IT!! I wish they were available in my area." ~ Martha Woodbury, Jacksonville, FL