Fan of René Magritte and Jorge Luis Borges, illustrator Cat Finnie is very clearly drawn to the surreal, creating dreamlike landscapes and enchanting settings that have an element of mystery to them.
“I’m very drawn to Surrealism in particular, both in art and in literature, and I think that has a strong influence in my work,” she admitted in an interview with Sense of Creativity. “Where it’s appropriate – e.g, illustrating more conceptual pieces – I always try to dig down into the unconscious aspect of the subject I’m illustrating and get a feeling for what is under the surface, the undercurrent of an article.”
This hidden layer of meaning is further enhanced by Finnie’s careful choice of color and composition. Her color palettes are often bright, relying on strong contrasts and an added twinkle or sheen. Her pieces tend to invite the viewer to further investigate, imagining the fantastical landscape from which these intriguing images might have come from.
“I think that, for me, being an illustrator is as much about creating content that’s useful or informative or connects with other people as it is about making something that’s meaningful to me,” reflected Finnie. “I always try to find a way to personally connect with a piece I’m working on, so that I can put some unique perspective into it, even if it’s not obvious to others in the final illustration.”
Step inside her surreal landscapes.
