Cat Tesla

I’m an explorer on the canvas. Layer by layer, I build and subtract—painting, drawing, scraping back, and then adding more. From a distance, my work offers bold, graphic forms; up close, viewers discover rich organic textures and intricate details. I’m drawn to contrasts—light and shadow, vivid hues and muted tones, smooth and rough surfaces, angular and curvilinear shapes—mirroring the interplay of strength and delicacy I see in both nature and ourselves. I strive to reflect this tension in my work: the strong and the soft.

My process combines oil, hand-painted collage, acrylic, graphite, and oil stick. Inspired by Franz Kline’s idea of automatism—what he called “pouring out” before editing—I begin with an automatic drawing in graphite and wax crayon. Translucent layers of paint follow, interspersed with further mark-making and additional layers, building a visual language that evolves organically.

Painting is a deep dive act that happens within oneself, with a goal of pulling out something beautiful for the world to connect with. This has become even more important to me since an early diagnosed breast cancer was resolved, leaving me grateful and even more focused and motivated.

Everyone has gifts from the Creator. I believ...

Education:
-Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design, The Creative Circus (formerly the Southeastern Center for the Arts), Atlanta, GA, 1994
-M.S. in Genetic Counseling, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, 1988
-B.S. in Biology, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1986

Residencies & Additional Studies:
-2017 & 2018 International Artist in Residency Award, Chateau Orquevaux, Champagne-Ardenne, France
-Master Residencies with Steve Aimone, Artist, Writer, and Author of “Expressive Drawing”, Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL

Selected Exhibitions: Solo
-August 7-29, 2025, Cat Tesla Solo Show “Midnight Blue”, Daniel Tucker Gallery, Ah Haa School for the Arts, Telluride, CO
-September 2021, Cat Tesla Solo Exhibition "Breathe", Thomas Deans Fine Art, Atlanta, GA
-December 2019, Cat Tesla Solo Show, Art on Centre, Fernandina Beach, FL
-April 2014, ArtExpo NY, New York, NY
-March 2013, Solo Show, T. Clifton Gallery, Memphis, TN
-August-October, 2012, Quinlan Arts Center, Solo Show, Gainesville, GA
-2-08, ATLart[08], Cat Tesla Solo Show, Lagerquist Gallery, Atlanta, GA
-4-06, “Cat Tesla: New Works”, Solo Show, Canyon Road Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM
-7-04 “Outside of the Box”, solo show, Eastern Shore Art Center Gallery, Fairhope, AL

Two-Person & Group Shows
-May 21, 2026, Sarasota Art Center, Gallery 3, “Living by the Water”, New Works by Cat Tesla
-April 10-June 14, 2025, What Dreams May Come, Gallery 1871/Chicago Art Source, Chicago, IL
-November 21-January 25, 2025, Winter Salon, Gallery 1871/Chicago Art Source, Chicago, IL
-April 11 - June 15, 2024, Take Three: New Work by Pamela Crady, Charles Shotwell & Cat Tesla, Gallery 1871/Chicago Art Source, Chicago, IL
-February 15-20, 2024, The Palm Beach Show, Palm Beach, FL (Steidel Contemporary)
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