Today we’d like to introduce you to Cat Wondergem
Hi Cat, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve known that I wanted to be a visual artist since my first art classes in middle school. I studied art at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and went on to work in lampworking glass, fine jewelry, custom pewter work, and silk dyeing. Each medium has different tools and techniques which has allowed me to explore and build on each new endeavor with a more creative approach. When I moved from the mountains of Asheville, NC to the low country of SC in 2005, my work made the transition from fine craft so prevalent in the Appalachian area to gyotaku (Japanese fish printing). I have been pursuing some form of printmaking ever since. My current body of work is linocut relief prints that are enhanced with watercolor.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road can be rocky when you make a living as a visual (or any type of) artist. Finding the right materials, discovering your voice, narrowing down the right events and places to showcase your work, and connecting with buyers are all the expected challenges. These have resolved themselves with time, research, and experience. The biggest ongoing struggle is trusting my own voice. Some years are better than others when it comes to that. My work often reflects the inner turmoil I am experiencing, so there’s a lot of vulnerability in sending out a message to the world. Does it resonate? Is it too preachy? Is it relevant?
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work involves several steps. First, I draw my design in mirror image on a linoleum block. I then carve said block to remove the unnecessary linoleum. Next, I roll ink on the remaining design left on the block. When that is finished, I place paper over the block and run it through an etching press to transfer the image onto paper. Once the ink has dried, I go back in and enhance the printed edition with watercolor.
My images are typically bright in color. The subject matter I like to focus on is little snapshots of daily life that highlight the quirkiness of humans – both the rough edges and the soft spots. The message attached to each piece is important to me. I want folks to feel seen. I think we all do better and act better when we feel seen. Sometimes the message comes to me first and sometimes the image comes to me first.
What does success mean to you?
I consider myself successful when two things are true. The first is when I like the piece of work that I have made. That encompasses the precision and complexity of my carving, the cleanness of the block printing, and the right color palette used in the watercoloring. The second component is when the message I’m sending out into the world connects with another human. Some of the most meaningful times I have had in my career have been during one of these moments. Money doesn’t hurt my feelings, but it’s not the reason I do it. Those honoring times when complete strangers share deeply personal stories of heartache or joy because of what they see in my work are why I do it. My mom always said I should be an art therapist, and this is my way of doing that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.catwondergemart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catwondergemart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catwondergemart
