The Sarnia Journal has partnered with local photographer Art Connolly to feature his captivating “Humans of Sarnia” series as he delves into the lives and experiences of everyday people in Sarnia. Follow his series on Instagram and Facebook
Meet Cat Cabajar, the creative force behind The Painted Cat, a professional face and body art and entertainment service in Sarnia.
Born in Edmonton and raised in Sarnia, Cat knew from an early age that she wanted to be an artist. But like many kids with big dreams, she often heard, “That’s nice, but what will you do for a real job?” It left her believing that being a full-time artist might be out of reach.
Throughout her adult life, Cat worked a variety of jobs—telemarketing, waitressing, graphic design, and even stints at Sun Media and in retail. Yet, her passion for art never waned. Then, in 2004, while serving as Head of Public Relations for the ArtWalk Festival, Cat volunteered as a face painter. The experience was transformative. As she painted faces, people lined up down the street, eager to see her work. The moment she placed a mirror in front of a child’s face and saw their delight, she knew this was what she wanted to do.
Cat began booking face painting gigs for birthday parties, festivals, and fundraisers, all while continuing her full-time job as a graphic designer. But she knew she needed to take a leap of faith to turn her passion into a career.
The journey wasn’t easy. In 2001, Cat’s home caught fire. As a single mom with a six-year-old, it was a devastating blow. Yet, the Sarnia community rallied around her, helping her and her son recover. This support deepened her love for Sarnia, a place that holds a special place in her heart.
Cat’s business continued to grow, and she was soon approached by The Kidney Foundation to host a paint party. The event was a hit, with 51 people signing up and over 40 more on the waiting list. But just as things were taking off, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and as Cat puts it, “Everything came to a halt!”
The pandemic brought challenges, but it also highlighted the importance of work-life balance, especially for someone like Cat, who had been diagnosed as bipolar years before. Recognizing the need for safe spaces where people could express themselves creatively, Cat began offering online art classes and launched “Free Art Friday” live on Facebook and Instagram. Her efforts created a sense of community among her participants and eventually led to the launch of an online art program.
She even caught the attention of Skyline Living, a national property management company, which asked her to offer art classes to tenants confined to their apartments during the lockdowns.
As restrictions eased, Cat started offering group classes in her home and eventually opened a studio in Lambton Mall. Last summer, she moved to a new location in Sarnia at 137 Christina St N, where she continues offering various art classes. Her studio also collaborates with Autism Ontario, providing Therapeutic Art services to help people heal from trauma, depression, or anxiety. Her studio is starting a Drop-in Art Tots program in the fall for preschoolers and their parents/guardians. She has been working a lot more with seniors this year at Vision Nursing Home. “My Therapeutic Art training is really being put to use helping people find comfort and healing through creative play time.”
Cabajar is currently being assessed for ADHD after years of being told that she was bipolar. The whole experience has been very eye opening for her and she is committed to improving the quality of her life through treatment and therapy.
Cabajar says “I’m still trying to find that balance between keeping active with my business and having still moments spent at home with my friends and family. I worked so hard for the first half of my business and experienced a lot of burnouts because I didn’t know when to stop. These days I know that my time and energy have limits and I want to spend it on what I am most passionate about which is art, community and connection."
“Humans of Sarnia” founder Art Connolly is a man fuelled by curiosity and a passion for connecting with people in Sarnia. Inspired by the renowned “Humans of New York” series, with a camera in hand, he captures the very essence of the individuals he encounters, preserving their stories through his lens.