Oriental Shorthair Cat Study ("Space Cadet") Painting

American painter, Aimée Rolin Hoover, has devoted more than twenty years to depicting animals and nature. Initially, she attributed her early exploration of animal imagery simply to her lifelong affection for animals. But as her artistic practice developed, she discovered a much deeper connection between animals, nature, and healing. Encounters with animals—whether locking eyes with a coyote or the gentle touch of a horse's muzzle—revealed to her a deeper awareness of life and her surroundings. These moments provided brief but welcome respites from the human tendency to overthink, guiding her to sense, feel, and connect. Her current body of work is inspired by this belief in the remarkable power of animals to ground us in the present moment, enriching our connection with life. Through her expressive paintings, she aims to capture the essence of these subtle yet profound moments, using her subjects as portals to invite viewers to experience joy, peacefulness, curiosity, and introspection. Aimée currently works and lives in southern California with her husband Scott, their dog Björn, and their cat Sesame.