Carol Russell

I love your company and products!Long story short... I have always loved drawing and painting animals. A few years ago I was laid off, couldn't find work (I'm too old :) so I decided to start painting lunch bags. Lunch bags? Yes, lunch bags. When my son was in elementary school (he's in high school now) I would draw on his paper lunch bags. I used pencils and drew Bugs Bunny, Mario and more. The kids loved the bags, couldn't wait to see what he'd bring in the next day. I've bumped that up a notch and now paint on nylon lunch bags and coolers, fabric backpacks, messenger bags and purses. I have been using Lumiere paints (both metallic and matte) on these bags for about a year and a half. Love, love, love them. Side note, recently I purchased Angelus leather paints, I will be working with them by the end of this month adding leather bags to my collection. Since starting this project I've painted over 100 custom ordered bags using the Lumiere paints and am really happy with the finished product.
My inspiration is to paint someone a bag of their pet(s) that they will love almost as much as the pet. I've heard so many wonderful stories about many of the critters I've painted. Many rescue stories which are especially nice. The bags are so personal, it really makes me happy to hear that those who received them are delighted with them. I attend a few festivals during the year and people first look at the bags with a look of confusion, once they realize what I do they smile. I think that's what inspires me, making people smile.