Love Stories: Spring Whitaker — Asbury Park Bazaar

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” –Anatole France.

Today’s LOVE STORIES features one of our favorite artists, Spring Whitaker. I love her work so much my daughter’s room features many of her prints! Spring is a fine art painter of vividly colored bohemian animals. Her illustrations are sold as fine art prints, as well on a variety of products from greeting cards & notebooks, to calendars & tumblers.

Spring Carolina Whitaker was born on the first day of spring in South Carolina, which is how she got her unique name. She is a self-taught artist who grew up on the beaches of New Jersey and in the deserts of southern California. Spring found her true passion for painting at the age of 14, when she started using acrylics on canvas. Spring is a karma believer, nature lover, beach goer, flower picker, wine drinker, binge watcher, fur mama, and wifey. Read her love story below and stop by to her gorgeous booth at the Asbury Park Valentine’s Bazaar on Sat Feb 8th!

When did you meet your partner and how did you get together?

I met my husband Dave in 2004 while having a beer at McCann's in Belmar. We had great convo that night about olives and I knew that night I had met my match.

Does your partner play a role in your small business?

I joke with Dave that the "Whitaker" in Spring Whitaker Art makes half of the business his, which usually gets an eye roll from him, but it's true! I may paint all the animals but without his support I'd never be where I am today. Plus he makes all the custom frames for my canvases, walls for shows, and he built all the tables & shelves in my shop!

*A valentine painting entitled "Dawn & Juan" (named after Spring’s parents)*

What do you love best about your partner?

Besides his super blue eyes and kind smile and say his sense of humor. Nobody can make me laugh like him.

What are your favorite things to do together?

We love to travel, camp (especially in National Parks), take our Aussie Murph to the beach, and hit up our favorite pubs.

What do you love about Asbury Park Bazaar?

We've been enjoying the AP Bazaar for years! Before we started doing the bazaar we loved walking around with a bev while checking out local vendors and supporting small business. Now we enjoy meeting and interacting with people visiting our booth and getting to pet everyone's pooches :)

What are you planning to sell at the Valentine's Market?

We'll be selling valentine cards, button pins, fine art prints, tumblers, mini prints, & more.

Don’t miss Spring Whitaker at the Asbury Park Valentine’s Bazaar on Saturday, February 8th from noon to 5 pm in the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall.