Minnie and Garland Adkins were husband-and-wife artists from Kentucky. Minnie spent her youth on her father's tobacco farm; she whittled whenever she had the chance. After she and Garland were married, they lived for several years in Ohio. Minnie carved animal figures that she sold at local flea markets, but not until they moved back to Kentucky did she begin to carve full-time. Minnie inspired Garland to take up carving, and the Adkinses often worked as a team. Garland would rough out a general shape, usually an animal or a religious scene, from a piece of local wood, and Minnie would carve the finishing details. She sometimes paints the figures but often leaves the natural finish. Garland passed away in 1998.

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