My Story

Art was where I could be myself

Growing up, I became very good at reading the room, keeping the peace and fitting in. Art was different. It was one of the few places where I felt free to express myself without worrying about what other people thought. It was colourful, playful and full of possibility—a space where I could simply be me.

Learning to fit in

As I got older, I carried many of those habits with me. I learned to work hard, meet expectations and keep everyone happy. Along the way, I built a creative career as an illustrator, author and later a psychotherapist. From the outside, many things looked successful. But slowly, I found myself becoming disconnected from parts of who I was.

When coping stopped working

By my early fifties, after years of juggling multiple roles and responsibilities, something had to change. The ways I had learned to cope and adapt were no longer working. I felt overwhelmed, heartbroken and increasingly disconnected from myself. I could no longer ignore the gap between the life I was living and the life I wanted to create.

Finding myself through art again

I returned to art, not with a plan for a business, but because I needed a way back to myself. Through colour, creativity and playfulness, I began reconnecting with parts of myself I had spent years quietening: my boldness, humour, curiosity, sparkle and voice.

Catherine Vāse Art

Today, I create colourful, emotionally expressive artwork inspired by that journey. My work celebrates individuality, self-expression and what happens when we stop trying to fit in and start becoming more fully ourselves.

An invitation

If you've ever felt pressure to fit in, stay small or become who others expected you to be, I hope my work reminds you of something important:

You don't need to shrink yourself to belong.

You are already enough.

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