Artists ~ Cat Smith ~ Providence

 Artist’s name: Cat Smith  Shop name: Wildlife by Art Cat Website: www.WildlifeByArtCat.com

1. Tell us about your work

Creating a memorable connection between humans and wildlife has been a long-standing catalyst for my work. This has led me to specialize in wildlife portraiture. With each piece I strive to create a connection by invoking a sense of whimsy, charm and personality.

2. Is there a story behind the name of your business?

Art Cat comes from my friends distinguishing between me and another close friend named Cat aka “Science” Cat. And wildlife well that’s pretty straight forward, they are my inspiration.

3. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter/designer?

I started drawing at an early age selling Little Mermaid and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle pictures for a quarter to fellow students at school. More formal training started with after school and summer programs at ArtQuest under wildlife and portrait painter Gregory Graham Grant in my hometown of Daytona Beach, FL. After high school, I continued on to Providence to study Illustration at RISD. 

4. Where do you draw your inspiration? 

I draw inspiration from the natural world and the unique personalities of the wildlife within it.

5. I really like your animal portraits. Can you tell us about the process?

Each portrait begins with a thumbnail and some research. Research on behaviors, interesting facts and lots of photos and when possible in person observations. I strive to capture a personality, something that the viewer can connect with and smile. Often, the portraits remind them of someone specific in their lives.

6. What’s your favorite item to create?

Oh that’s a hard one...I love jumping between my highly detailed portraits and my looser ink works. Subject matter wise, the more unusual the better. I had a ton of fun working on a large fruit fly commission a little bit ago and most recently an aye-aye portrait for my latest Unusual Beauties collection.

7. What’s your best seller?

Changes every few years. The iguana portrait was a star for many years. Lately, people have been loving the prints of the llama portrait, of which the original painting sold about two years ago now. 

8. How long have you been in Rhode Island? 

At this point over half my life if you count my college years. I moved here in 2000 to attend Rhode Island School of Art and Design and never left.

9. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?

So much. The vibrant and diverse art community. The location and it’s variety of natural landscapes to explore from beaches to wooded hiking areas.

10. Favorite place to take out-of-towners?

Norman Bird Sanctuary, RWPZoo, Wurst Window at Chez Pascal, BreakTime Bowling at Hope Artist Village

11. Any advice for new/wannabe makers?

Make, make and make some more. And take some business planning courses.

12. Please include anything else you’d like to add:

Take a moment to truly appreciate the unique and under appreciated critters around you. Like the misunderstood opossum who is basically part of nature’s clean up crew protecting us from disease.