First of all, let me say that I am always happy to meet someone who is "famous," only to find that despite said fame, they are kind and down-to-earth and just regular folk. This is artist Cat Kerr.
I can't remember when I first happened upon Cat, but I have always admired her and her art work. I read her blog and commented, we've corresponded and became facebook friends. On January 6, Cat celebrated a lot of things all at once: her blog anniversary, her two hundredth post and five hundred followers! Wow. To celebrate, she had a give-away. All you had to do was comment. Well, if you know me at all, you know that I always have something to say, so I commented.
And I won!
I started a new job on January 23rd and Cat picked the winner on January 31st. I have been playing catch-up a lot with blogs that I read and I totally missed it! She wrote me an email that said "Sweet Cheryl, you won my give-away." I was so excited and couldn't wait for the necklace to arrive. The necklace is a "Journey" necklace featured in the current issue of Sew Somerset. (I told you she was famous.) Not a photo, an entire article. Wow, wow, wow. When the package arrived and I opened it, this is the first thing that I saw:
Cat's blog, In the light of the moon, and other photos found here. If you like what you see, her etsy shop is found here. And, that isn't all. I won a class with her at Artful Gathering. If you go to the Artful Gathering link you'll find a video of Cat, sharing her studio and talking about the class she will be teaching.
I asked Cat if she would answer a few questions and tell us a little about herself. My questions are in bold. All of the responses are in Cat's words. I got cold chills as I read her responses. When she talks about how Mary Oliver's poem, The Journey, spoke to her. I love Mary Oliver and had this poem posted in my cube at one of my jobs for three years.
Sit back and relax with artist Cat Kerr:
How long have you been doing art?
I have always loved creating in one way or another. I started with a love for Fashion Design. I still stop in my tracks when I see a beautiful work of art coming down the Runway. Today, I create in other mediums and my Art fills my heart with Joy. I am so thankful that I get to create with wonderful products. That I get to play while I work.That I get to write about techniques that make my mind wild with excitement. I am thankful for each and every moment.
How did you get started?
I hesitated for years. One question kept circling around in my little head..."Will anyone want to buy something I make?"...I was afraid to find out. But then one night,as I sat outside and gazed at the Moon, I started recalling a poem that I read a while back. The poem,"The Journey" by Mary Oliver. When I first read the poem,I thought it was lovely,and that's it. But this night,this poem wanted me to listen, it wanted to me to understand, it wanted me to move and go and jump and play and Begin. The first line reads..."One day you finally knew what you had to do,and began"...and that night I knew, what I had already known deep in my heart...and the time had come for me to get up...and Go. The next day I set up my Ebay account and even though it took months for me to make my first sale, I knew that I was doing EXACTLY what I was supposed to be doing.
Has your art evolved along the way?
When I think of the progression of my art, I think of the Mediums that I have used along the years that have inspired me. These mediums continue to find their way into my art and I am so thankful for journey. My first medium was paper,...then wood, then fabric, and metal, and resin and today I use them all. Today when someone asks me..What is it I do?..Phew ,that could be a long answer so I just say ..I am Mixed Media Artist. Period.
When did you start blogging?
I just celebrated my 2 year blog-aversary. I started blogging with the sole intention of promoting my art. But I had no idea that creating a blog would also give me the opportunity to make friends with people all over the world. I am so thankful to each and every person I meet thru the blog. In 2011 I had the opportunity to meet some of my bloggy friends and I am still giddy thinking about it. A true blessing.
So what do you already know? Yes, You? Whats waiting for you around the bend? What ever it is, its waiting, patiently, but sometimes it is not enough to know...we have to begin.
The Journey
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.
Mary Oliver
See what I mean? You can just tell how Cat opens her heart and how kind and down-to-earth she is.
Go visit her blog.
Go to her Etsy site and buy something from her.
Go sign up for her class.
And if you are an artist who is waiting, Go.
