Shadow Box Stories
My shadow box pieces are a return to the collage techniques I once left behind, only now with layered depth and dimension. Each element is hand-painted, carefully cut, and thoughtfully placed to create a sculptural, immersive world. It’s a process of both precision and play, and I’m still learning new ways to bring these pieces to life!
Building Dimensional Worlds One Layer at a Time
Recently, I shared my journey of rediscovering collage, a medium I once loved but left behind due to the pressure of having a single, consistent artistic style. That post marked a turning point in reclaiming the joy and freedom of mixed media, and it’s led me down an exciting new path: creating shadow box pieces that bring collage into a whole new dimension.
These shadow box pieces begin as all my work does: with a simple sketch. It’s in those early lines that the concept begins to take form. From there, I individually draw and paint each element of the design on separate sheets of watercolor paper. Every element, every figure, every background is hand-painted with intention, allowing me to fully explore texture, color, and detail.
Once the components are complete, the most meticulous part of the process begins: cutting. I use my trusty X-Acto to painstakingly cut out every element. This step is both meditative and intense, requiring a steady hand and a lot of patience. But there's something incredibly satisfying about watching each piece slowly become it’s own element.
What truly sets these works apart is the dimensionality. Instead of laying everything flat, I carefully plan how each piece will be spaced from the background. Some elements are raised just slightly, while others hover higher, casting gentle shadows and creating depth that draws the viewer in. The layering isn’t just visual—it adds a sense of movement and story to the piece, as if the elements are interacting in a suspended moment of time.
Each decision about spacing is intentional. The way a galaxy flows through a hand, or how a whale floats toward the foreground, these choices contribute to the overall composition and the emotional impact of the piece. It turns a traditional watercolor painting into something sculptural, immersive, and almost dreamlike.
This process continues to evolve. I’m still learning the best ways to scan and photograph these multi-dimensional works in order to reproduce them as prints without losing the depth and magic of the originals. It’s an ongoing journey, but one I’m thrilled to be on!
Creating these shadow box pieces feels like a full-circle moment in my art practice, a blend of everything I love: detailed painting, the tactile process of collage, and the emotional pull of layered storytelling. I can’t wait to keep exploring where this path leads next.
Purchase these shadow boxes here!
An Artistic Exploration of Women, Nature, and Resilience
Exploring a project that reclaims floral imagery as a symbol of resilience, creativity, and autonomy. Originally conceived as a museum exhibition, this concept explores the legacies of five trailblazing women who used plants and flowers in groundbreaking ways.
I originally developed this concept for a museum’s local artist initiative, hoping to bring the exhibition to life in a public space. While I wasn’t selected for the opportunity, I remain incredibly proud of this idea and am excited to explore it further. Instead of a large-scale museum installation, I plan to develop these concepts into more manageable shadow box pieces, continuing to celebrate the intersection of femininity, nature, and history through my work.
This series challenges the historical trivialization of floral imagery as merely decorative or "frivolous," reclaiming it as a powerful symbol of resilience, creativity, and autonomy. This project celebrates five trailblazing women who used flowers and plants to defy societal expectations and shape history. By spotlighting these figures, I hope to encourage viewers to reconsider the value of traditionally feminine aesthetics and embrace curiosity about the legacies of these extraordinary women.
Each of these women brought their own unique contributions to history, intertwining their lives with botanical elements in remarkable ways. Susan La Flesche Picotte, the first Native American woman to earn a medical degree, integrated Omaha healing traditions with Western medicine, treating both white and nonwhite patients. Her piece will incorporate plants used in traditional Omaha remedies. Harriet Tubman, widely celebrated for her role in the Underground Railroad, was also an expert herbalist, using medicinal plants to aid fugitives and Union soldiers. Her portrait will highlight these elements.
Akiko Yosano, a Japanese feminist and poet, used floral imagery to express female sexuality and emotional depth, and her piece will feature symbolic blooms from her poetry. Edith Wharton, an author who revived and documented the Victorian Language of Flowers, used coded floral meanings to communicate powerful themes that could not be spoken aloud. Her work will be woven into her portrait. Finally, Gertrude Stein, a central figure in the avant-garde art movement, frequently used floral motifs in her poetry to reflect the creative energy of her artistic community.
As a watercolor artist with a special interest in collage, I plan to bring these women’s stories to life through a series of shadow box pieces. Each element in the artwork will be individually hand-drawn, painted, cut out, and collaged together to add depth and visual interest. The layered compositions will create a dynamic experience, revealing and concealing different aspects as viewers move past them.
Although this project was originally envisioned as a museum exhibition, I see great potential in adapting it into a more intimate format. By scaling the work into shadow boxes, I can create personal and accessible pieces that continue to tell these important stories. I’m eager to begin this next phase of the project and share the journey with you.
Stay tuned for updates as I start creating these pieces! If you’d like to follow along, keep an eye on my social media and website for progress shots and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the process. Sign up for my newsletter below to stay updated on my journey and be the first to see new pieces as they come to life!
Collage, Creativity, and Coming Full Circle
For years, I believed that my art had to fit a singular, recognizable style—something drilled into me by professors and peers. That pressure led me away from collage, a medium I loved but struggled to fit into a cohesive aesthetic. Now, over a decade later, I’m unlearning that mindset and embracing the joy of mixed media once again. Returning to collage feels like reclaiming a part of myself, and the response has been nothing short of incredible.
In college, I first became obsessed with mixed media and collage. I loved the process of painting textures, cutting, layering, and assembling elements in new and unexpected ways. But no matter how much I enjoyed the journey, I struggled with the final product. I was never quite satisfied with how my collage pieces came together, and in the structured environment of art school—particularly within the illustration department—I felt an overwhelming pressure to develop a single, cohesive aesthetic.
It was explicitly emphasized that your art had to look one way, that it had to be instantly recognizable as yours. It was an immediate response to any piece turned in: "How does this fit in your style?" and "How will your style stand out in the industry?" I internalized that belief, convinced that I needed to refine my style into a single, cohesive approach—one that I am still actively working to unlearn more than a decade later. After some feedback from professors and peers, I gradually stepped away from collage techniques and leaned more into digital art. Eventually, that path led me to where I am today: traditional watercolor painting.
Even though I let go of collage, I never stopped loving it. I continued to admire mixed media artists who seamlessly incorporated collage into their work, marveling at the way they made it their own.
It stayed in the back of my mind, like an old dream waiting to be revisited.
Over the past year, I’ve slowly dipped my toe back into the world of mixed media. It started with creating pressed flower pieces in double glass frames. Combining my drawings and paintings with vibrant, delicate pieces of nature felt like magic. Not only did I love making them, but they also resonated with people at markets and shows. Their reception gave me the encouragement I needed to explore further.
I ordered a few shadow boxes and started experimenting with larger-scale collage pieces, assembling entire works from elements I created separately and then brought together in a layered composition. It felt like coming home to a part of myself I had left behind.
I’ve heard the saying that in your 30s, you unapologetically reclaim the things you loved as your younger self, and that sentiment fully resonates with me. This era of my life is about embracing the art I once dreamed of making, free from the constraints of expectation and artistic “shoulds.”
And the most beautiful part? The support and love these pieces have received. It reminds me that creativity is an evolving journey—one where we often find our way back to the things that set our hearts on fire in the first place.
If you’ve ever set aside a creative passion because you felt like it didn’t fit, I encourage you to revisit it. You might just find that it still has a place in your story.
2024 Reflections
A commitment to growth
The past few months have been a season of exploration and growth in my creative journey. I've been experimenting with new techniques and learning more about my craft, allowing myself the freedom to create without the confines of labels or expectations I once placed on myself. It feels liberating to step away from fitting into boxes and simply embrace the process of making art for the joy of it.
For now, I’m taking a break from working larger markets to dedicate more time in the studio. While I may return to Forsyth Park toward the end of the month, my current focus is on nurturing my creativity and diving deeper into my work.
Part of this exploration includes venturing into new mediums. I’ve started a ceramics wheel class, which has been an exciting (and humbling!) experience, and I’m also revisiting collage techniques that I haven’t explored in years. These new practices are teaching me patience, sparking fresh ideas, and reminding me of the endless possibilities within the world of art.
As I continue this path of growth and discovery, I’m grateful for your support and for the opportunity to share these moments with you. Here's to creating without boundaries and finding beauty in the unexpected!
Welcome
It all begins with an idea.
Hello and thank you for joining me on this creative journey! I'm Cat Johnston Floyd, a watercolor artist inspired by the beauty of nature, the magic of everyday moments, and the fluidity of the medium itself. Through this newsletter, I’ll share exclusive glimpses into my creative process, updates on new works, behind-the-scenes stories, and upcoming events.
Whether you're an art enthusiast, a fellow creator, or simply seeking inspiration, I’m thrilled to have you here. Let’s celebrate the vibrant world of watercolor together!
Warmly,
Cat Johnston Floyd