Local artist designs new Fiona shirt
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The Cincinnati Zoo's resident celebrity just turned one.
People celebrated Fiona with a weekend-long birthday party.
Now, that moment has been captured on a t-shirt.
Like a lot of people, Diane Radel has been inspired by Fiona's journey.
She can relate because her oldest grandchild was born a preemie - weighing just three pounds.
So, when the baby hippo was born, Radel paid attention.
She had seen firsthand the oxygen tubes, experienced the setbacks and successes of helping a preemie grow.
When Diane's painting instructor asked her to create a painting a few weeks back, Diane decided Fiona should be the subject.
Specifically, Fiona just days away from her first birthday wearing a birthday hat.
With the zoo's approval, that watercolor is now front and center on a t-shirt.
And a portion of the proceeds goes to the Cincinnati Zoo for animal conservation.
"She just needs to celebrate and have some fun after her year and I'm sure this year is going to be an awesome year as a 1-year-old and I look forward to watching all of those antics," Radel said. "But, yeah, it's just like if she's going to celebrate it should be in bright, happy colors and be wearing a birthday hat."
The t-shirts are being sold online for $17.
