Avery Tomlinson

Avery Tomlinson was born in Georgia, and but also raised in various other states including Missouri, Texas, and South Carolina. She is the oldest of three children and has younger twin brothers who also share a passion for music and art. Since Avery was 12 years old, she worked part time at local veterinary practices and knew she wanted a career in veterinary medicine. After high school, she went on to undergraduate studies at Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, ultimately graduating in May 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in studio art. The following year, Avery was fortunate to work in wildlife rehabilitation at Fellow Mortals, Inc. in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, which fueled an intense interest in wildlife and zoological medicine, especially avian medicine. She started veterinary school at the University of Georgia in the fall of 2004. During her freshman year, Avery designed a poster illustrating rabbit dental disease, and won the annual contest held by Oxbow Pet Products. She is currently employed at Appalachian Animal Hospital in Ellijay, GA where dogs, cats, birds, and wildlife are her passion.

Avery has always enjoyed art as a child and spent many hours drawing figures from her imagination. She started drawing realistic portraits during her senior year of high school. When she went to college, she sought to take more extensive art classes. One of the reasons Converse College was her school of choice was that it was strong in the liberal arts, which allowed Avery to enjoy art classes along with science classes. Art also has a strong presence in her family. Avery's great uncle is a medical illustrator and artist, and her aunt is a dedicated art teacher.

Avery currently enjoys drawing pet portraits along with creating and donating work to charitable causes. Her favorite mediums are charcoal, acrylic, and oil paints. As for style, she particularly enjoys drawing and painting in bright colors and believes that shows the true beauty of the subject.

Awards and Honors

Best Painting, juried art show, Converse, Georgia
Honorable mention, photography division, show held by a local humane society.
cover artwork, May 15, 2008 Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association