If I had my way, Halloween would be celebrated year round. So it goes without saying that I love spooky stuff — and if cats are involved, even better! I came across artist Braden Duncan’s work while perusing Etsy, and was immediately drawn in. Her art combines her love of pop culture, mythology, mysticism, Steampunk, cybernetics and the natural world — including all things furry and feathered.
Cats are a big part of her work. “I’ve always had an affinity for cats,” the Seattle-based artist says. “I make friends with them wherever I go, and my own are all rescues who adopted me.” In fact, her three cats (Ghost, Diesel & Earl Grey) all model for her.
She loves connecting with fellow animal lovers over their mutual love of cute critters. “One of my favorite parts is being able to say with an entirely straight face that I’ve turned ‘crazy cat lady’ into a viable profession!”
A full-time artist, Braden is also an animal rescue advocate. She’s supported local rescues over the years through art donations and more recently with her role as exhibitor coordinator for Sea-Meow Con (Seattle’s very first cat convention). When the pandemic hit, many of the animal shelters in the Pacific Northwest (and beyond) were forced to close their doors to the public. With adoption events and cat conventions cancelled due to pandemic restrictions, she found a way to stay connected with her cat community. With no exhibits or events to plan for, plus lots of extra studio time, she created Wildcats4Charity — a series of original watercolor wild cat portraits, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting a different Seattle-area animal rescue.
On her Etsy shop, Braden offers prints, enamel pins, magnets, vinyl stickers, folded notecards and postcards all featuring her adorably strange art. Check her out at clockworkart.com, etsy.com/shop/ClockworkArtShop, on Facebook @clockworkartshop and on Instagram @clockworkart.
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