Meet Ian Cato | Painter & Sculptor

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

Hi Ian, what are you inspired by?
All of my favorite sci-fi movies I grew up on are coming true these days and it’s insane. I’m also very inspired by how surreal nature can be, from weird bugs, to sea life, and especially the habits of birds and amphibians.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Im fascinated by the blurriness between reality and fiction at this moment in history. I live in Los Angeles, which is sort of the capitol of make believe with the film industries influence on everything, and I think my mixture of influences of sci-fi pop culture, car decals and trucking insignia, and the supernatural being combined into the historic medium of painting, which is all about illusion and simulation, have a very potent punch when it comes to understanding what life really is, in America or just the world in general. It’s not like we live in the matrix but I kind of feels like that sometimes in LA and my paintings and ceramics have a lot to offer when reflecting on this feeling.

I’m really proud right now to be the art director of my good friend’s cannabis company called Roz From Frasier. The idea was to make a brand that actually was made by artists and focuses on art and I’ve gotten a lot of support from my business partner to become a full time artist and designer through the company. It means the world to me and has been an extremely exciting chapter of my career and I don’t think I’d be here without him.

Maybe the biggest lesson I’ve learned is to make sure to move with love in everything you do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d definitely take them to what ever galleries were having show openings that I thought were solid and then we’d definitely drive up into the San Gabriel mountains and get out there. I love the mountains around LA and is one of my favorite aspects of this place. More specifically gallery wise we’d probably swing by spaces I tend to enjoy like Deitch, Regen Projects, Night Gallery, La Beast, Wonzimer, Kordansky, and The Pit just to name a few. We’d also have to go to the beach probably up near Point Dume to get some sun and wind!!! Food wise I’m a huge fan of Dune. Probably some of the best Mediterranean food I’ve ever had.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want give a shoutout to my closest artist friends that I’ve met along the way through the music scene in Nashville, art school, art handling, and working at galleries in Los Angeles. They have really been some of my most important mentors and supporters and community. They really have helped me see the road ahead and guided me to know what the right steps are to take. I’d also have to thank my dad who is a builder and ultimately an incredible wood worker and my mom who is a marketing genius. I’d like to think I’m an interesting mix of the two of them, being a hands on creator and someone who’s had to represent myself in general in larger markets for many years. I really have to thank them for all the support, influence, and insight they’ve given me.

Website: https://Ianpatrickcato.com

Instagram: https://Ian.pc

Other: Iancatoes@gmail.com

Image Credits
Julie Faravel
Ed Mumford