Hey, I’m Catherine!

If you like, you can call me Cat. I’m a barefoot-walking, creation-loving, veggie-growing kind of girl. But the number one thing you need to know about me is that I have not yet arrived… and that’s ok.

Whew … that feels good to say!

It hasn’t been easy to reconcile the difficult fact that life, no matter how beautiful, can be horrendously cruel.

When I was a kid, growing up in paradise, I spent my time dreaming up fantasy worlds and writing books about them (shout out to the land of Jiskdar – I still wish I had a flying pet tiger!).

My book about Jiskdar (and my legendary pet tiger).

The problem was that people don’t always believe in your dreams. Sure, they might acknowledge a talent, or a small victory, but over time people tend to encourage you to get “a real job.” Because, let’s face it, even with talent, it’s unlikely that you’ll “make it” …right?

So, for me, when I hadn’t become a famous author by age 18 (!!!) I did what most people do when they become an adult: I attempted to work a “stable” job, and tucked my creative dreams into a long, long hibernation.

Sound familiar?

Perhaps you have always felt drawn to a particular life but you’ve been told it’s not for you. 

It’s too risky, too hard, too unstable … or perhaps even too selfish. What gives you the right to pursue your dreams over more pressing concerns like making money, raising children, helping others? 

Friend, if that’s you, I see you.

I was you. 

I’m a single mum and carer, with bills to pay and three Sharpe-lets to raise. 


BUT I’ve learnt that I can be all those things AND live my dreams too.

How I got here

 

Let’s go back a few years (okay … decades). Between the ages of eight and eighteen, I was lucky enough to live on an outdoor education campus in Kangaroo Valley, Australia. My dad was a teacher there so we lived in a community with six other families.

We’d spend our days running around barefoot, exploring creeks and ponds and forests. And in the evenings, we’d get the chance to learn about art from an on-site teacher. We tried our hand at paper mache, pottery, tie dying, traditional painting –– you name it, we learnt it. I’m still gobsmacked when I think about the freedom and space we had. It was paradise. 

With an upbringing like that, and a very academic and literary family, it won’t surprise you that I wanted to be a famous author when I grew up. After all, I wrote my first ‘book’ when I was four! (It was about Honey the Dog). When I was fifteen, my beautiful grandad bound a book detailing the world of Sallienta for me. I loved feeling my leather-bound words in my own hands and wanted more than just a taste of it. 

But by the time I was eighteen, that author dream was dwindling. I didn’t have people around me nudging me to nurture my creativity and I desperately needed someone to give me permission to step into who I was. Who I am. 

That person wouldn’t come until sixteen years later. Shout out to Matt Tommey for being the first person to encourage me to see myself as an artist. For the first time, I felt SEEN. And I finally had that permission I had been so desperately craving.

Friend, don’t wait sixteen years. 


Today, I want to be that person for you. 

 
I may not have the time I had in Kangaroo Valley but, trust me …

I have time for you.

I want to help you clear away the refuse that is blocking your ability to dream and allow it to flow freely. 

I want your dormant dreams to be released. 

Your hidden self to be seen. 

Your stagnant visions to start moving. 

And I know you want that too.

Will you take the first step?

How I can help you

  • Workshops

    Classes and workshops coming soon. Watch this space!

  • My art and writing

    My art is designed to meet you in the midst of brokenness. Maybe, like me, you’ve walked through seasons of deep pain. Maybe you’re experiencing it now. As someone with borderline personality disorder, I see brokenness everywhere. But I also see beauty and magic. My art and writing is an expression of that. When you see and read it, I want you to know you are not alone in how you feel.

  • I want to listen to your story

    You’ve read mine and now I want to read yours. You can get in contact with me here. If you don’t want to share your life story (I get it, we just met), you can just say hi and share a few facts about yourself. I’ll go first …


Three facts about me:

  1. I’ve lived in twenty-five houses, nine towns, and two countries! (I know, right?!)

  2. Jesus is the reason I live and breathe. He has carried me through my darkest times, and continues to see and love me no matter what. You don’t have to believe in him for us to be friends - but I want you to know that he is important to me.

  3. My ultimate dream is to run a community property with a garden, a repair café and assorted workshops (watch this space!)