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Meet Kelly Airhart The Creator of Roux-Dolph the Gumbo Pot

One day I was scrolling through a Facebook Group for watercolor artists. The members were all making these beautiful winter wonderland landscape paintings for their family Christmas cards. They were so darling that it moved me to create a Christmas card for my own family!

I guess I was hungry because the next thing I knew, I was doodling out a silly little gumbo pot with a red nose. I named him “Roux-Dolph,” [ r OO d aw l f ] and instantly fell in love.

I shared Roux-Dolph with the group, and everyone else also fell in love. Someone suggested I put him on t-shirts. I put him on some t-shirts and sold a few.

Then someone suggested I put Roux-Dolph on tea towels, and he took off! I have since sold thousands of my little Roux-Dolph towels all over the United States (and a few have even made it out of the country!) Never underestimate the power of a good tea towel in the south.

This year, I am excited to announce “The Legend of Roux-Dolph the Gumbo Pot,” will be published as a children’s book in the fall, and my family has other big plans for my little gumbo pot! I like to joke that he will either become the Blue Dog of Christmas or the Mickey Mouse of the South.

Whatever happens next, I am just so grateful to see the smile my little creation has brought to people’s faces and honored to know that my work is worthy of being gifted to people’s loved ones. That is something I will always be proud of. May the joy of this punny little gumbo pot live in all our hearts forever.

Illustrations by Kylie Scott from the upcoming book The Legend of Roux-Dolph the Gumbo Pot. 

Read Kelly’s Blog!