MEOW. I'M A BIG CAT.
Hi, I’m Mary Ellen Engman—crafter, storyteller, wife, mother, and the creative force behind Big Cat Creative.
My artistic journey began when I was just one year old and my mom placed a crayon in my hand. I’ve been making art ever since. Over the decades, my creative toolkit has grown with me: I learned to paint in my teens, sew in my 20s, make jewelry in my 30s, and explore ceramics and embroidery in my 40s. I’m a lifelong learner with an ever-growing curiosity—and I have no plans to stop discovering new crafts or weaving them into my art practice.
The name Big Cat Creative comes from my love of big cats (of course!) and reflects the bold energy, playful spirit, and fierce enthusiasm I bring to everything I create. My work blends storytelling with handcraft—each piece inspired by Victorian circus posters, flash tattoo art, vivid patterns, and a wild love of color.
With degrees in graphic design, photography, and education administration, I spent years building a career in marketing. But in fall 2024—on my birthday, no less—I was laid off. I took it as a cosmic nudge to chart my own course and turn my creative passion into something bigger. I officially launched Big Cat Creative in May 2025, and while I may be just getting started, I’m going full speed ahead—with MUCHO GUSTO.
Every piece I make is designed to tell a story—and to be worn, used, and loved.
