I have been an entomological artist for 11 years. This means I use art to pay homage and to celebrate the beauty and importance of insects.

I am nutty about all things 6-legged. Insects are so beautiful, so elusive, so varied, important, tough, tenacious etc etc...And they look fabulous in a painting!

Over the last decade, I have done all the usual things that artists do to promote their work: I have shared the ethos behind my art to whoever stands still long enough to listen: - I've exhibited my insect art all over the country; I've taught insect art to fellow bug enthusiasts in many relevant venues, such as Kew Gardens and so on; I've sold my work, such as prints, cards and original paintings; I've also given talks to groups/on the radio/on telly about my love of insects and how and why I use art to celebrate them.

In the last 5 years or so, most of my daily work settled into teaching insect art. This included studying the wonderful and infinitely fascinating anatomy of insects. These lively and unique art sessions used my microscopes and ethically sourced specimens to take folks into the unseen and fascinating world of bugs - such fun and very popular with participants. An opportunity for folks to spend time with like-minded souls. These insect/art workshops took me all over the country...until Covid-19 popped up on the horizon...

The post-Covid world meant that my teaching sessions were no longer viable. It forced me
to take stock of my career and my work and the options open to me. Etsy had been at the back of my mind for a while, but I had no space in my schedule to launch a comprehensive on-line shop. The break in my normal daily artistic activities meant that I had the gift of time to design and set up an Etsy insect and art-lovers bug shop...and then to see how it went....

I grasped the opportunity with both hands. I spent hours taking new photos of my paintings, prints, greetings cards etc. I uploaded everything and then launched my new shop, InsectArtByCath. I even designed new ranges, such as my collection of ethical butterfly domes, using the digital images taken from my original butterfly paintings.

To my amazement, it caught on! And I haven't looked back. Any artist will tell you that when anyone buys your stuff, you're amazed and infinitely appreciative of the support and recognition of your passion and work. It has been so uplifting to feel that I am still getting my insect conservation message "out there".

I'm still developing my shop, which is all very exciting. It's great to have control over a concept that feels so fresh. It's such a fantastic way to continue to celebrate my passion - to use art (and Etsy) to celebrate the importance and beauty of insects. The largest and most successful group of animals on Earth.....