SEAS THE DAY...BUT FIRST...PAWS FOR A MOMENT...
(pardon the cliches!)
AHOY! Meow! CIAO!
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
Thank you for stopping by to have a look at the way I see. I hope you will find something in my photos and watercolors that brings you peace and a feeling of transcendent beauty and joy and helps you relax into a slower pace. Once upon a time, I received a full scholarship and teaching assistantship to attend Tyler School of Art's Master's in Art History program in Philadelphia. I did not stay in the program for a number of intensely practical reasons but mostly because I surely listened to the wrong voices at the time. Since then, I have held a number of Communications roles in corporate, government, non-profit and academic settings but the nature of my being is that of an artist -- and it has become more and more difficult for me to try to fit in realms outside of those were the artist dwells. It is my hope that this venture will help to build bridges between the art world and other realms of society by advocating for art in public spaces, corporations, and more sterile workplaces where art is perhaps not valued or taken as seriously as it should be as an agent of healing. I also love to collaborate with restaurants and businesses that support sustainability efforts.
I decided to use CATBOAT to title my collection of work because, well, I love cats and boats, cats on boats and indeed catboats too, that most elegant breed of sailboat. A peek into my Swedish ancestry lead me to discover that in ancient times Vikings apparently traveled on boats with cats and so, this made the name even more fitting for my adventures in art. Plus, Jesus was a big cat in a boat, calming the waves in life's storms-- so there's that (Mark 4:39). I bring to my work the adventuresome pioneering Viking spirit alongside what some have called an Italian and Mediterranean eye for beauty from my mother's heritage. In my watercolor work, there's a nod to the English in there too, as that bloodline is in the mix in my vessel and we all wonder if the English really do still rule the waves--and if all roads really do still lead to Rome. I personally think they all now lead to Shalom.
I endeavor to bring more heaven into view in my work, capturing moments of wonder and ease to balance out the seriousness of this being human. My work is also very much guided by a pilgrim pioneering spirit and the journey of Faith. Perhaps you will find something here that helps time slow down for you and reminds you why you are here. Be still and know. May you find your Zen with a side of Amen.
With cheer,
Holly Westergren
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea
were hushed.- Psalm 107:29
WORDS ABOUT WATERCOLORS
Nature is my first inspiration but I am also enjoying animal characters which may some day turn into children's book subjects. England's countryside as well as the rugged seascapes of the British Isles are an inspiration and you may notice elements of German and Swedish folk art as well. Italian landscapes are next.
Upcoming PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT: The Art of ReCoVery July 31, 2026-August 31, 2026 EasterN Shore CSB 19056 GreenBUSH ROad Parksley, VA 23421
I am honored to have a summer collection of photographs on display at the Eastern Shore Community Services Board's newly remodeled facility in Parksley, VA. I am joined by other local artists who are showcasing their work and partnering with ESCSB to promote the importance of the arts in the pursuit of recovery, wellness, and well being.
Established in 1971, Eastern Shore Community Services Board is part of a statewide network of 40 Community Service Boards working to provide mental health, developmental disability, substance use, and prevention services where they are needed – in the local community.
As an artist and someone who is recovering from C-PSTD and as a trauma -informed yoga teacher, I'm passionate about advocating for the presence of the arts programming in community-based recovery services. Special thanks to Charmin Horton at ESCSB for organizing this collaboration.
OPEN HOUSE
RSVP ONLY
JULY 31, 2026
11-1pm
Eastern Shore CSB
19056 Greenbush Road, Parksley , VA 23421
THE CATS OF Catboat Photography and Fine Art
MATILDA JANE BOWES COLLINGWOOD (6/11/09-4/25/2026)
Originally adopted in the artist's hometown of Princeton, NJ( and her first cat) The Empress Matilda, " Tilly" , " Loolee Belle", "Tillerina" went on to eternal glory in April 2026 but remains at the helm of CPAFA operations atop her cloud in heaven. Matilda came with her name and was indeed true to her namesake as the "First Lady of the English" in her comportment and character. A fierce fairy of a cat Matilda was athletic yet dainty and the kitten-est of the cats. While she could be remote and aloof at times she was always the sweetest to those passed her tests. Throughout her 17 years, Ms. Tilly lived in Princeton, NJ and Philadelphia, spent some magical summers in Stone Harbor and enjoyed her golden years on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. She is deeply missed. Her naval and choral connections to Italy, Germany, Sweden, and England remain a royal mystery.......
Margo Louise MORETTI (8/18/2008-09/28/2001)
Margo "Margs", " Choochie" , " The Chooch", " Choochie Lala" , " Margola" was the artist's second adopted cat and Matilda's big sister. Choochie had a raspy meow as if she had been a chain smoker for many years. It seemed like Margs had possibly been walking the beat as a member of the NYPD in her past life. She had a no-nonsense personality, a cross between Judge Judy and Carmela Soprano. She surprised her mum once by jumping in a pond in and swimming like the happiest tigress in the Bay of Bengal. Margo came with her name when adopted but was given the middle name "Louise" meaning " famous warrior" and the surname Moretti in honor of her mum's maternal Italian family name, though she was also likely at least half Irish . Margo means "pearl" and that she was. She enjoyed roaming freely on tennis courts and football fields. She also enjoyed boat rides, mac n' cheese, margartias, stroller rides through the snow, Motown, and Disco. She had no patience for English accents, golf, or baseball. Her spirit lives on at CPAFA.
James Joseph Zebedee Salisbury McMuffin (9/9/18- )
The third in the cat triumvirate and now First Mate and CFO at CPAFA, James was adopted in 2018 in Salisbury, Maryland, shortly after Margo's passing, after much deliberation and divine guidance. James also came with his name and was found stray on " Old Zion Road" , which served as immediate confirmation of his intrepid and inscrutable holy roller ways. He and Matilda were not best of friends but had moments of affection amid their epic sibling rivalry and feudal wars. James and Matilda, both curiously being the names of beloved Roald Dahl characters, when together they did embody the magic, mischief, and musical merriment and madness their literary counterparts evoke. James is now a solo flyer and seems happy protecting his Mum and being the Captain of the Old Ship Zion these days. He has aspirations of being goalie for England at World Cat Cup some day though he is less interested in the conditioning it will require. He enjoys English choral music and most musicians who are named James including James Taylor, James Brown, and Jimi Hendrix. James enjoys a good Guinness and his favourite authors are James Herriott and James Fenimore Cooper. Not a big James Joyce fan, curiously. He naturally enjoys James Bond movies and when others call him "007". Nicknames he prefers less are " Poofman" , " Pomps", "Chomps" and "Lumpkin". James is a numbers guy who loves ferry boat rides, bellyrubs, bocce ball, and tuna tartare.