Rising Hope, Alexandria, VA, 2024.
One of the first thingsNico Cathcartnoticed were the birds: theyd somehow gone silent.
By her 20s, shed been officially diagnosed with a degenerative cochlear condition.
“Rising Hope,” Alexandria, VA, 2024.
Nothing exists in a vacuum and all social and environmental factors are tied together, the artist explains.
I try, as much as I can, to talk about these things within my work.
Read on for our exclusive interview with the artist.
“A wider lens (in which to see the world),” collaboration with Valerie Rose, Sunny Dayz Mural Fest, Ponca City, OK.
I have always been drawn to art.
I was a studio artist first, and have a BFA in painting.
Murals were something I found later.
“GROW,” aWall Mural Fest, Miami, FL, 2024.
GROW, aWall Mural Fest, Miami, FL, 2024.
Ferdinand, Wall Street Mural Fest, Portsmouth, VA, 2024.
Your art often revolves around naturalistic and feminist imagery.
“Reflection,” 2024.
What compels you about these two motifs, and how do you interpret them throughout your art?
Murals are a great way to talk about issues that really matter.
This leads me often to projects that empower women.
“Ferdinand,” Wall Street Mural Fest, Portsmouth, VA, 2024.
In this tumultuous time, that is more important than ever.
It all depends on the project.
I also understand that we are intrinsically tied to the health of the planet.
“Age and Grace,” Richmond, VA, 2023.
A lot of my studio work is based on the Europeanmemento morigenre that originated in the 17th century.
We need a diverse array of plants and animals around us to thrive.
In a small way, these paintings are a little about how we handle death as well.
“Rhiannon,” Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA.
Bones are not to be feared, but celebrated for the life that was lived.
In our culture, we have sterilized death, and thats a big step back from nature.
Those might seem like radically different bodies of work.
“Do You Realize?,” Plaza Walls, Oklahoma City, OK, 2024.
I venture to actively learn from the communities I encounter.
Age and Grace, Richmond, VA, 2023.
Rhiannon, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA.
Youre in the process of going deaf.
“Aurora,” Richmond, VA, 2022.
How has this impacted your art and your creative process?
Ive been trying to reset my mind to think of my Deafness as a superpower rather than a disability!
I have a degenerative cochlear condition, meaning I have been losing my hearing most of my life.
“Vital Qi,” Richmond, VA, 2024.
Its hard to pinpoint when it started.
Still, I often miss out on important connections and conversations because I just cant hear them.
This makes the networking side of the art world very, very difficult.
“Women.Life. Freedom,” 934 Mural Fest, Columbus, OH.
Do You Realize?, Plaza Walls, Oklahoma City, OK, 2024.
Aurora, Richmond, VA, 2022.
How do birds as an artistic theme connect to your disability?
“Poppies,” Richmond, VA, 2024.
When did you find yourself inspired by birds as a symbol of your disability?
Vital Qi, Richmond, VA, 2024.
Freedom, 934 Mural Fest, Columbus, OH.
“A song for a swamp rabbit,” Mural Mania Mural Fest, South Bend, IN.
Which of your artworks has most stuck out to you in recent memory?
Last year, I painted a portrait of femmegraffitiwriter, Shan, which humbled me to my core.
The show that its in,Wild Wonders, opens on March 1.
“Vanity,” 2024.
Poppies, Richmond, VA, 2024.
A song for a swamp rabbit, Mural Mania Mural Fest, South Bend, IN.
What do you hope people will take away from your art?
“Oceans Rise, Empires Fall,” 2023.
I would hope that there is a moment of reflection.
Painting has the power to convey so much meaning without the written word.
It transcends words in that way.
“Lionfish,” 2025.
Oceans Rise, Empires Fall, 2023.
Do you have any exciting projects coming up in the near future?
This is such a planning time of the year.
I have a lot of irons in the fire, so I am knee-deep in design work.
Painting in the place that MAKES THE PAINT, is a joy.
