About

The Inspiration for Stumper and Beans

Stumper and Beans is inspired by the real-life love and adventures of my own two Corgis, Lt. Dan (Stumper) and Daisy Mae Dickens (Beans.) They both came into my life at a time when I needed their love and positive energy. Corgis are natural clowns and it is hard not to laugh when Lt. Dan does something silly like jumping into the air to catch a hummingbird or when Daisy Mae Dickens sticks out her tongue when she is sleeping. The names of Stumper and Beans are common Corgi terms.  Stumper in reference to their short legs and beans for their toe pads.

Through Stumper and Beans, I a paying forward the love and joy they have brought into my life.  It is my hope that Stumper and Beans, along with their friends, will bring laughter and joy into your day.

Stumper

Lt. Dan is a Corgi anomaly. He is a purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi who is far too big and much too fluffy to meet the standards of the breed. He definitely lives up to Dr. Suess's quote, "Why fit in when you were made to stand out?" He loves to explore the world, go on adventures, and eat tasty snacks. He is also likely to fall into a love coma while being petted after a long day of chasing squirrels and surveying his kingdom from the back deck. He reminds me daily of God's words "...do not fear, only believe."

Beans

Daisy Mae  is a perfect example of Pembroke Welsh Corgi right down to being a bossy skeptical know-it-all and definitely "the wrong kind of smart." Central in her life are two reoccurring themes: 1) that we should all stick together and 2) that being cautious about new things is the best and safest approach to life, especially when we are out hiking or playing on the beach. She reminds me daily how doubt can limit our opportunities for joy.

Elu

Elu is my very small but opinionated Parakeet who has been chirping, whispering sweet nothings, and dancing to her own curated playlist for nearly 15 years. She frequently has arguments with her mirror image and then stalks off to her favorite perch to stretch and preen in the unquestionable knowledge that she is in charge of her aviary.

Juliette Renée

Juliette Renée (JR) is a reflection of my artistic self. Art, like writing, is often a very solitary endeavor. When inspiration strikes, it is easy to get lost in the flow of creating for hours at a time. Unfortunately, it is also easy to be distracted by the promise of an adventure. It takes self-discipline to stay on task and complete projects that always seem to take longer than expected. JR creates balance in her life by going on adventures with Stumper and Beans. I manage it by taking my crew for walks on a nature trail or going to the beach for the day.

About Barbara Bakken

Learn more about me at barbarabakken.com

After spending the lion's share of my adult life simultaneously raising 3 children and working in Information Technology and Electronic Design Automation as a consultant and engineering manager, I retired and chose to tap into my childhood love of art and storytelling. Initially, I stayed within the confines of traditional painting, pen and ink sketching, and knitting voraciously, but I was never fully satisfied when I finished a project. While the process of creating is pleasurable, I wanted something more, something I could dig into and build upon. After casting about for a while to find "The Thing:, I stumbled into Stumper and Beans by initially drawing silly pictures of my own pets for family birthday cards. Embracing "It's never too late..." philosophy of life, I challenged myself to learn how to create digital art, to become a cartoonist, and to write and illustrate children's books.

My life is full of good and wondrous things, and for this, I am thankful. My three children have grown into happy adults, my four grandchildren are thriving, and my beloved fur and feathered children are content. My husband and I live in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area. Within an hour, we can be walking on beautiful beaches, hiking in the scenic Columbia Gorge, or spending time in the Cascade Mountains. Being in nature renews my soul and provides the perfect balance to the many hours I spend in my creative endeavors.