7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #589:
Featuring Up-and-Coming Illustrator, Cat Min
June 3rd, 2018 by jules
It’s the first Sunday of the month, which means I’ve got the work of a student or debut illustrator here at 7-Imp. Today, it’s the latter, an illustrator and animator named Cat Min, who recently signed with an agent and is working on her debut picture book.
Cat is here to tell us a bit about herself, as well as share some artwork. I thank her for visiting. Let’s get right to it. (And if you want to see even more of her artwork, you can find her on Instagram at: thecatpark.)
Cat: When I was a child, I’d read and draw comics with my best friend for fun. We’d go over to each other’s house and sit in the living room, hunched over folded paper with a blunt pencil in hand. The result was something similar to a zine. The best part was reading each other’s work at the end of the day. I didn’t realize it then, but I think that was when my love for drawing stories started.
I went on to study film and animation at New York University and completed the Illustration & Visual Storytelling Summer Residency Program at the School of Visual Arts in New York. I knew I wanted to be an animator and illustrator, but it was during my time at SVA that I realized I wanted to pursue writing and illustrating picture books.
There’s something quite magical about writing a story and telling that story creatively through a combination of pictures and words. I enjoy various types of storytelling through images (such as, film, animation, comics, visual novels), but the beautiful thing about picture books is that while they are meant for children, pretty much anyone can enjoy them, since they’re really just short stories told through simple words and illustrations (and sometimes only illustrations). I love how much you can come away with from just a few pages of words and drawings.
My illustrations are mainly done in watercolor and colored pencils, but I also like to use brush pens and pencils. I have the most fun when painting and drawing familiar subjects in dream-like settings — it allows me to be as imaginative as I want to and gives me the most freedom. The stories that I write are quite similar in that sense; I like stories about recognizable characters that are placed in surreal scenarios.
I currently work as a freelance illustrator and animator. I’m also a member of SCBWI and Women Who Draw. I’ve recently signed with Maria Vicente of P.S. Literary Agency and now working on my first picture book. It’s a long process, but every moment of it is very exciting and valuable to me. I also hope to do a memoir-type graphic novel in the near future.
All images used by permission of Cat Min.
Note for any new readers: 7-Imp’s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome.
1) A trip to Providence this week.
2) Reading a galley of Jacqueline Woodson’s new middle-grade novel on the plane.
3) Scavenger hunt. Involving cocktails.
4) Solo.
5) Catching up with a friend.
6) New music.
7) The 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards were announced this week.
What are YOUR kicks this week?
Good morning, Imps! Hello, Cat! This is a fly-by post. I will catch up later tonight or tomorrow. Happy June!!
Cat Min, may you have a successful career. Your art makes me smile.
Jules, scavenger hunt involving cocktails sounds fun!
LW, enjoy the day.
My kicks:
1. Students.
2. Sun
3. Books
4. Love
5. Hugs
6. Walking
7. Joy
Tomorrow is my last Family Library Night. Hope to.see.lots of families.
Have a great week.
Hi Cat! Love the texture and emotion in your illustrations – and love that first one especially (chronic over-packer here!)
Jules – yay for trips, a scavenger hunt I agree with Jone , that scavenger hunt with cocktails sounds really fun, and thanks for the heads up on Jacqueline Woodson’s new book – just got the ebook from the library!
LW – waving at you as you fly by!
Jone – your week sounds perfect with the sun, love, hugs and joy. Enjoy your last Family Library Night!
My kicks:
1) Sunshine
2) Drives through the Gorge.
3) Making plans.
4) Home dance parties.
5) Read “What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding” very funny travel memoir by Kristen Newman.
6) Finished Season 2 of Jessica Jones.
7) Garage sale finds for the garden.
7.5) Daisy “helping” with yard work.
Have a great week everyone! Happy Summer!
Hello again, Imps!
Cat: Cool work. I especially like the girl reading with her fox, and the telescope scene. Congrats and good luck!
Jules: Happy Sunday! What new music is kicking this week?
Jone: Yay for one-word kicks!
Hi Rachel and Daisy!
My kicks from the past week:
1) Movies
2) Underscore
3) Shared
4) Impressed
5) Treat
6) Assured
7) Shine
Thank you for the kind words Little Willow, Jone, and Rachel! And thank you Jules for having me!
My 7 kicks:
1. Black coffee with bread
2. Hot showers
3. Testing new art supplies
4. Revisions
5. Reading SKIM by Mariko & Jillian Tamaki
6. My twin boys turned 1
7. Rewatched “Triplets of Belleville”
More tomorrow, promise! ….
Here I am!
Oh, Jone. You’re last Family Library Night! Tonight, yes? I hope it goes well. I’m sure it’ll be bittersweet for you.
Rachel, that memoir title made me laugh out loud. And home dance parties? I WANT IN.
LW, who always shines, I will be thinking all week about what “underscore” could mean — rather, its multiple meanings probably.
Cat: Thanks again for visiting! I looooove The Triplets of Belleville, Come to think of it, I bet my girls haven’t seen it, so I should watch it again — with them. Happy birthday to your boys!
Jules: Thank you! Let me know if you want to know or if you want to puzzle it out. 🙂