MEET THE ARTIST

Hi, I am Rhonda, that is my name right there on the back of your platter and under the art on your t-shirt. The skinny short haired cartoon on the front of the shirt was me in 1975 when I first got paid to be an artist. I was in the 9th grade. I was a slow talking brown-eyed farmer's daughter who was raised in beautiful antebellum Natchez Mississippi. It was in Natchez when my Mississippi history teacher first made loving Mississippi and her people and places a huge part of my life. Being a daughter of a Natchez Garden Club member, I have experienced the thrill of wearing period costumes while passing on the rich history and trivia of Mississippi to people from all over the world.

In 1994, I spent over 200 days in the hospital while battling Crohn's disease. I had my colon removed and my hips replaced. I listened to Elvis and Faith Hill, read John Grisham and Greg Iles and watched Oprah while I recovered.

Women in my family all live rich long lives. Great grandmothers contributed to my early affection for Mississippi traditions like asking everyone, "How's ya Mama and 'Em?. I can still hear my grandmother saying this while inquiring about someone's family. Grandmothers taught me the importance of family and that it takes a skill to get along with brothers and sisters especially when you have a whole big mess of 'em. My Daddy taught me that a mess of catfish is "just enough for everybody with two leftover for his breakfast.

Weekends spent with my Grandmothers were like attending a Southern Hospitality University. I learned to cook southern fried chicken, chicken n dumplings and homemade biscuits. I caught on early to the quiet art of listening on the telephone party lines at their houses. My grandmothers did not repeat gossip so I learned to listen close the first time. I learned that lemonade should be ice-cold ready because company was always sitting on the front porch. People came for laughs and to pour out their troubles and waited to hear the soothing sound of my grandmother saying, "Well bless your heart," If their troubles were real serious, my grandmothers broke out the banana pudding. I witnessed my grandmothers be loyal best friends. They traveled all over the United States on bus tours. They loved traveling but always drew the same conclusions, "There is no place like home." The interaction that took place between those two southern women through the years taught me how to run my family, my business, and if ever need be, this country. I learned from them that all girls are special but Mississippi girls are prettier. I never leave home without thinking I've got to "Be Particular" and that I must "Watch for the other fellow".

My mom and Dad taught me to love Jesus and to take care of my sisters. If you mess with those two Mississippi girls, buddy you will be messin' with the whole trailer park.

Come see us in Brookhaven, Mississippi where I live with my southern gentleman husband Mitch in a house built in 1890 complete with white columns and a nice front porch. Our only child Jerrod is a southern gentleman too, except he would rather have a cold co-cola over sweet tea. Thank you for being interested in my art. I love Mississippi and appreciate you giving me a chance to show off. Our mission is simple: We aim for you to laugh and love our tshirts. We take great pride in our company, heritage and the state of Mississippi.