Two Purring Cats Store for Animal and Plant Lovers

Who are we, you ask?
Two Purring Cats Studio is a collection of drawings and paintings by designer and illustrator Carolyn McFann on gifts and clothing for all who love dogs, cats, birds, fish, horses, herps, wildlife, flowers and more.

For over twenty five years, Carolyn had been doing artwork for others, from corporations to private people. Her work has been in books, magazines, and other publications as well as novelty items for theme parks, museums and more. She has worked with scientists, paleontologists and other professional to do artwork as well.

Now, she has broken away from it all for the most part and has gone out on her own, opening Two Purring Cats Studio and creating her own lines of art on shirts, cameras, shoes, and other quality merchandise for all who love the flora and fauna of the world. Having lived and studied nature in Cancun, Mexico years ago; you will see an abundance of tropical themes in her artwork. She loves what she does and it shows.

Stop on in our stores and have a look around. It's a colorful and fun place full of great stuff for the whole family. Welcome to our world.

Ten years ago I went down to Cancun/Playa del Carmen, Mexico and lived there for two years. It was an experience I'll never forget, ever.

My cat Blackie and I lived in lovely house in the suburbs of Playa del Carmen. I worked as an illustrator for a nature park called XCaret. My artwork was taken and put on huge signs, novelty items for their gift shop, and other things. Whenever I went there to deliver my assignments, I walked down a long jungle path in the back of the park, seeing all sorts of exotic nature, it was amazing to see big iguanas high in trees, for example. And the butterflies were amazingly beautiful and plentiful.

My boss and his staff spoke little English so I was forced to speak Spanish most of the time there. If I didn't get homesick for the US, I'd go back there. It was a wonderful place to live, I miss snorkeling and walking the beach every day, there were minor coral reefs where I lived and the water was turquoise, just gorgeous.

After living in Florida (Tampa Bay area) after being in Mexico, I am finally glad to be home in northeast Ohio once again, to stay, in my hometown of Chagrin Falls. I missed the rolling hills and natural beauty of Ohio. Traveling is fun but there's truly no place like home.

My whole focus in art growing up and in school was to learn to draw what I see in as much detail as possible. To do this I was enrolled in nearly any decent art course my parents or I could find.

If you want to draw, first buy yourself some good books on the subject and study them very hard. My favorite book growing up is a book called "Drawing Animals" by Jack Hamm. I am not sure if it's still in print or not but you can find used copies and it is well worth the effort to get that book. As a little child I sat and drew just about everything in that book, and practised daily.

There is no right or wrong to being an artist. You have the artistic license to do whatever you want, that is the beauty of art..it's yours and you call all the shots in the final outcome of it. Don't beat yourself up if it's not "perfect". People tell me all the time that they could NEVER draw like I do..well, don't try to be like me, remember I had MANY years of education on this and it's all about the practise. You practise, you WILL get better and better.

First, work with pencil. That way you can study your shape. Make lines like you mean it, not overly weak, pensive ones. They don't have to be really bold, just firm, not too "sketchy". As you gain confidence in your work, the lines you draw will be easier to draw with boldness. One step at a time.

Pick subjects that you enjoy drawing. If you don't enjoy what you draw then why bother? I mean, really! Find a subject that you enjoy the most and become an expert on it for your own drawing use. What style of art do you want to do? I am a realist, others do abstract. It's your choice, you're the boss on this. You will watch your style evolve somewhat as you practise, it just does. When I paint, my paintings are more impressionist (like Monet), very different than my drawing, which is deliberate and bold. Different media bring out your different styles and that is OK.

Give yourself permission to make mistakes. If you don't make them, then you don't learn. My students can be incredibly hard on themselves if their artwork doesn't turn out exactly like they want it to..I tell them that it doesn't have to look just like the subject, the difference actually does give it extra character, and likeness (if that is what you are after) will come in time if you practice enough. The key thing is to NOT be hard on yourself, because nearly all my students in the beginning, are, until they learn not to be.
More tips later..try it!