Fodder School Muse Cathy Watson | Mixed Media Art & Collage

This month we're excited to introduce Cathy Watson, known on Instagram as @cathywatsonartlife. Based in Christchurch, New Zealand, Cathy is a mixed media artist, scrapbooker, quilter, and lifelong maker whose creative journey spans everything from sewing and doll clothes to art journaling, collage, and mixed media art.

After five years in Fodder School, Cathy continues to inspire fellow students with her colorful artistic style, willingness to learn, and encouragement for artists at every stage of their creative journey.

What part of the world do you currently live in?

I live in Christchurch, New Zealand.

When did your art or crafting journey begin?

I've always been creative, thanks in large part to my mother and grandmother. They taught me to knit and sew, and sewing quickly became a major part of my life. I started by making clothes for dolls, then moved on to making my own clothing and eventually quilting.

Although I studied art in school, I didn't pursue it seriously after graduating. Instead, I found creative outlets in other ways. As a young girl, I loved making scrapbooks filled with magazine cutouts of homes, fashion, and gardens. Later, I became interested in miniature dollhouses and creating handmade items for craft fairs.

Eventually I discovered photo scrapbooking, and it completely took over my life. I worked in scrapbook stores and taught classes, and over time I noticed more mixed media techniques finding their way into scrapbooking projects. I loved that creative direction.

When COVID arrived, I spent countless hours watching Dina Wakley's free daily lessons and exploring mixed media tutorials on YouTube. Around that same time, I discovered Wendy's Willa Journals and started hearing about Fodder School. I knew immediately that I had found my creative home.

How long have you been in Fodder School and what keeps you coming back each year?

This is my fifth year in Fodder School.

The teachers are a huge reason I return each year. Many of them are artists I've followed on Instagram for years, and I love learning from creators whose work inspires me. Every year I also discover new instructors whose art resonates with me in unexpected ways.

The community is another reason I keep coming back. There's a real sense of camaraderie among students. I love feeling connected to a global community of artists who are all creating, learning, and encouraging one another.

How has Fodder School influenced your creative journey or daily art practice?

Fodder School has definitely helped me grow my artistic skills, but its biggest impact has been helping me understand my own artistic preferences.

Over the years, I've learned what colors and styles truly feel like me. While I admire neutral color palettes in other people's work, I've realized they're not for me. I love color—lots of it. My favorite palette includes warm pinks, yellows, oranges, and raspberry reds, mixed with touches of turquoise, lime green, black, and white.

Now that I'm retired, I have the opportunity to create art whenever I want, and I'm incredibly grateful for that. Fodder School continues to provide fresh inspiration and new techniques that keep my creative practice evolving.

What’s one project, technique, or lesson from FS that completely lit you up?

There have been many memorable projects over the years, but Angela Kennedy's lessons stand out as a true turning point for me.

I've always admired her artwork and thought that if I could learn even a fraction of her drawing style, it would be amazing. I was shocked by how much I learned and genuinely surprised by what I was able to create. That experience gave me a huge boost in confidence and showed me what was possible when I stepped outside my comfort zone.

Another recent favorite was Arlyna So's November lesson. Creating the little Fodder Dex cards was so much fun that I didn't want to stop. In fact, several of us are planning to continue making a card each month for the remainder of Fodder School 5.

How would you describe the Fodder School community in three words?

Friendly, supportive and encouraging.

One piece of encouragement for a brand-new student?
Don't compare your art to anyone else's.

Every artist is at a different stage of their journey, and we all have different tastes, interests, and experiences. Remember that every artist you admire was once a beginner too.

I've been in Fodder School for five years and still have so much to learn. That's one of the wonderful things about creativity—there's always something new to discover.

If you stay curious, keep creating, and focus on your own progress rather than someone else's, you'll be amazed by how far your creativity can take you.