Cat Wondergem shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Cat, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
My path has definitely been one of wandering. I was raised in a family of over planners which I absorbed, but experience has turned me into a fan of the school of thought that says “if you want to make the gods laugh, tell them your plans”. I learned early on in my career that creative endeavors involve a lot of rejection, rethinking, and redirection. It’s been a process to become less rigid about how I think things should progress. Keeping my eyes and ears open to the unexpected opportunities around me has been invaluable, though. That has led me to other artists and mediums that I wouldn’t have encountered if things had gone the way that I planned. Staying fluid and curious is my artistic mantra.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a visual artist that has been largely focused on printmaking since 2006. My current body of work is linocut relief prints that I then enhance with watercolor. My subject matter usually involves quirky little snapshots of life, that you might miss if you weren’t paying attention. Life is complex and I like to incorporate the shiny spots and the rough edges that it brings into my images. I’m currently working on a solo show that’s coming up called “Make It Make Sense” and part of a collective show that’s called “Ignite” that will be focusing on human rights.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship I have with myself has been the most influential relationship in my life. From the time we’re born we’re bombarded with the who, what, why, how we should be and it takes work to weed out what resonates and what is trash. Some feel comfortable in their skin from an early start, but that hasn’t been the case for me. At some point early in our relationship my partner pointed out how harshly I spoke about myself and how unreasonable my expectations for myself were. I made a conscious decision to give myself the same grace that I gave others when I looked in the mirror, or attempted something that didn’t result in the desired outcome. Over time that grace, has helped me to build my self confidence and self trust, allowing for a more authentic human being. This is reflected in my art, my relationships with others, and my way of existing in general. It’s a choice I have to regularly make. I wish it was automatic, but at least the muscle memory for doing it is getting stronger all the time.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
My father had Cystic Fibrosis. Among other things, CF involves a lot of pain and suffering, which got worse for my father as his life and his condition progressed. The average age of a person with that diagnosis is 44 years of life. My dad was just 5 weeks shy of 71 when he passed away, so there was a lot of suffering. Watching a family member slowly fade like that, and being a part of the emotional fallout it wreaked on my family has been one of the most challenging aspects of my life. I don’t think it’s something I’ll ever “get over”. My father was raised in a time where mental health, especially for men, was a non-issue. He participated bravely in his strenuous medical regimens, but time, pain, and pharmaceuticals took their toll on his mental health. I don’t think his life would have been carefree if he had focused on the mental battles more than the physical battles, but I do think there would have been less suffering. That experience has led me to actively work on my psychological well being. I strongly believe our inner landscape reflects on our outer landscape.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
I don’t believe that things are either black or white. There are so many shades of gray. Life is nuanced, and there are lots of ways to exist in this life. It’s a shame that so many topics get broken down into A or B.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If all things were stripped away except my authentic self what would remain is someone who has a lot of love to give, someone who is constantly designing in bright colors in her head, someone who can’t tell a joke, someone who doesn’t relax well, someone that loves gardening, someone who is a weirdo magnet, someone who has a dark sense of humor, someone who is afraid to fail, but does it anyway, someone who always needs to be making something, someone who is a cynical optimist, someone who loves being outside, and someone who still has a lot to do before they die.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.catwondergemart.com
- Instagram: @catwondergemart
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
