Hi there! I’m Cath! I’m the hands (which are usually paint covered) behind Buttercup Barn Studios. I’ve been drawing and painting since I could hold a pencil – some of my earliest memories are of filling up sketchbooks with horses and pointing excitedly out the car window yelling “’Orse!” at every pasture we passed. That love never really left. Often, my work focuses on equines and fantasy creatures such as unicorns, but I cover a wide variety of subjects including landscapes and cryptids.
I’m deeply lucky that I have been able to make art my full time job – and even luckier that I can do a wide variety of it rather than being stuck into one medium. My current focus is pottery and model animals, though I also paint traditionally and do digital art.
I share my workspace with two fluffy assistants: my Chow Chows, Jimmy Snuffles and Luna. They mostly offer moral support (and the occasional dramatic sigh), but I like to think they bring a little extra magic to the studio.
Art and animals have always been the core of who I am, and I feel incredibly privileged to do this every day. Whether you’re here to browse, commission something, or just admire any of my art – thanks for stopping by!
This is Jimmy! (Full government name Jimmy Snuffles – AKA Jim-Jim, Jimothy, Jim-Jam, Buggy, and Good BoyTM)
Jimmy came into my life when we both needed a little light. I met him in my early twenties, right after he’d been picked up off the street – matted, skinny, and unsure – but the moment he climbed into my lap, I knew he was my heart dog. We’ve been through so much together, and watching him bloom into the happy, silly, soulful boy he is now has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
Jimmy has the gentlest heart and the most delightfully weird little preferences – his very first toy was a unicorn he proudly picked out himself, and to this day, he loves horse toys and goes absolutely wild for horse videos. I’m convinced he’s a horse girl™ at heart, just in fluffy disguise. He seems to understand and appreciate everything, like he never forgot where he came from, and shows his gratefulness every single day. I feel endlessly lucky to share my life with him.
This is Luna (AKA Luna-Lu, Lunar, Lunatic, and my BB – Bathroom Buddy)!
Luna came into my life as a tiny puppy with big opinions and even bigger energy. She was all-in from the start – rarely napped, chewed everything in sight (including wood furniture), and even liked the bitter spray we used to try and stop her. She’s always had a quirky streak – she’s obsessed with the smell of spicy food and turns her nose up at store-bought strawberries. Farm bought strawberries, though? She goes wild.
As she’s grown up, Luna has become the calm, loving heart of our home. She adores Jimmy, and she’s my ever-present little shadow, following me from room to room like it’s her full-time job (even into the bathroom, of course). She’s sweet, devoted, and so full of personality. I’m incredibly lucky to be the one she chose to grow up with.
Buttercup Barn Studios 