Meet Cat Craig | Cat Craig | Artist/Digital Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cat Craig and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cat, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
First of all, I am am really excited to be sharing my journey with you all. So thank you. When I first started my business, I didn’t have a thought process really. I have always wanted to be an artist but never knew that it could be a profession for me personally. I would say that my initial thought process was, ” What is there to lose?” I was already an artist and the difference was that I am now sharing my work instead of keeping it to myself. Once I saw that my art was selling, then I knew that this could possibly be a profession. I started to have profound conversations with people about my art and the inspiration behind it. For the first time it felt as if I wasn’t alone in my artistic journey. People understood what was behind my work and understood the link between Nature and art. I just knew that this is exactly what I am meant to be doing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart from others is that my art is a reflection of nature through my eyes and my experiences. I guess you would say that I am an adventure seeker. I am a trail runner, mountain biker, rock climber, and hiker. I truly love being outdoors and I love to push my limits. It is in these moments I find a shared connection with Mother Nature. As if I am one with her. I used to use objects for inspiration in my work; cups, hands, vases, dried flowers, etc. but I was not using what has been around me when I am in nature. When I draw landscapes, I try to balance the tones with nudes and pops of color to make these places feel ethereal and inviting. On the other hand, my feminine work has been truly inspired by my connection with Mother Nature and my Femininity. I have had trauma growing up and through my work I find solitude, strength, and self love.

I am proud of myself for taking the leap as a full time artist. I really wasn’t nervous about it. I just know in my heart that I am doing exactly what I am meant to be doing in this life.

I am excited to see how my art evolves. I am constantly learning and trying new things. I just know that whatever it is, I will just be having fun.

It was not easy getting to where I am today. I have done a lot of odd jobs. I bought a one way ticket straight out of high school to Hawaii and worked in hospice, retail, and did some other random things like bee keeping. I always went against the grain but there has always been a drive inside me, a real hard worker. When I moved back to California, I really wanted to be a massage therapist. I wanted to help people. I thought I could open my own practice and do more rehab work on clients who suffered injuries like car accidents and so on. That was basically my job at a physical therapy clinic I worked in. It was taxing on my body and honestly I really did not like touching people all that much and taking on their emotional baggage. I learned to detach from it but it still drained me. I felt like I needed a change and decided to go to school and get my credits to be a preschool teacher. I worked with kids in the clinic, mainly autistic. When I started my journey as a teacher, I loved it! It was probably my favorite profession I have worked in. Teaching was also very draining and although I loved teaching the kids and being a big kid myself there was something missing. Covid hit and we finished off the school year but I decided not to go back the next year. I was constantly sick from teaching and the commute to Santa Barbara everyday really drained me. So I ended up working at a plant shop in Ojai taking time to get my immune system healthy, ease my stress, and focus on my overall health. Although my health was most important, I felt that there was something more I should be doing.

Art was always the one constant thing in my daily life that I would lean on to express my emotions and thoughts. It was always right in front of me. I always said, “Yes” to opportunities that felt right in my heart. I am grateful for all the choices I’ve made in my life because it led me to where I am today. I unknowingly paved the road that led me to being my own boss and a successful artist today.

Sometimes it may seem that we will never figure out what we are ‘meant’ to be doing or that it seems impossible. Truthfully, we just aren’t seeing the bigger picture most of the time. Sometimes the answer has been right in front of you and you were meant to take a crazy detour to teach you how to appreciate that ‘one thing’ that you are meant to be doing.

I would like the world to know that I am not just an artist. I am a wife to my best friend and the kindest person I know. Sharing this life with him is truly my best work of art. He is who supported me the whole way. He held my hand when I had hard days and felt small. He reminds me of where it all started and where it is now. It is the road trips, the hikes, the climbing, biking, and running shared with Shea that make me want to recreate those moments through my eyes so it never fades.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend is visiting me in Ojai I would take them on a hike in the Los Padres Forest to catch up and to be surrounded by Ojai’s true magic. Then, we can go get lunch at Farmer and the Cook. Afterwards, we would go get our tarot cards read by Natalia at Nutmegs (a crystal shop off of N. Montgomery St.) and then go to Shop Plant Based, Bungalow, Treasures of Ojai, Jones & Company and some thrift stores. We would end the night at either the Ojai Rotie, the Dutchess, Rory’s Place, Tres Hermanas, or Boccalis depending how long each wait is haha. Hopefully the visit is not on a weekend or we’ll be waiting for ages!

We would spend the week hiking, going to the water hole, riding bikes, climbing, and having picnics! Maybe a spa day at the Ojai Valley Inn. They have the best facials! We would definitely hang at my house to do some painting, dancing, reading tarot cards, making potions and watching scary movies! I have a husky, a persian kitten, and a tabby at home, so a lot of cuddles! We would definitely play board games and do a puzzle! I’m a taurus, definitely a homebody!

I’m not much of a drinker but I do appreciate a delicious glass of pink bubbly at Tipple and Ramble and a spicy margarita from Tres Hermanas and luckily I live in town so driving is not a worry! We would definitely go to Magic Hour for teas one day!

We could go to either Soule Park or Camp Comfort for slacklining, picnics, and doing art.

We would definitely have to do either a mediation class, yoga class, dance class, or a moon circle!

Other than that, I would take them to the Ojai Valley Athletic Club for the pool and sauna!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I didn’t start my journey thinking, ” I should sell my art!” In the beginning I was working for a cute plant shop in downtown Ojai, Ca. (Shop Plant Based). On one of my days off I was at home doing art for fun. It was a rainy October day and I felt like lighting a couple candles and taking out my charcoal and pens. I decided to share my art on my personal instagram story. Rachel, who is the owner of Shop Plant Based messaged me and asked if I would sell my art in the plant shop and I was a little taken back. I of course, started to overthink like I always do.. “What if I fail?” “What if people make fun of my art?” “I’m not as good as all these amazing artists in Ojai” My husband Shea, who is in fact my anchor asked me, “What do you have to lose?” He was right of course. I really didn’t have anything to lose. I never went to school for fine art or college for that matter, but I did take a couple of art classes in High school. The thought that I didn’t go to college for art really made me feel insecure around all these fine art artists. Since then I have learned so much from the art communities around me and especially the Ojai community. It was not at all what I thought this journey would look like. I have been supported, cheered on, and inspired by everyone I surround myself with. For that, I am eternally grateful. I would like to say, Thank You Rachel for giving me the first opportunity in my art career. I am truly blessed to be doing what I am most passionate about.

Website: sunrisevialola.com

Instagram: sunrise via lola

Image Credits
Shea Craig (My husband)