Catherine Bodnar

Art has inspired me since early childhood. I was raised in an artistic and creative family, with a father who is a retired architect and who lovingly introduced me to a wide range of art mediums—from painting, drawing, and collage to sculpture and photography. Along with my mother and grandmother, he taught me to see beauty in the ordinary and to draw inspiration from everyday life. I developed a strong visual sensibility at a very young age, in part because I have been bilaterally deaf and have worn hearing aids since the age of two. Art became a vital form of expression and communication, helping me connect with others and giving voice to my creativity. At fifteen, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. During chemotherapy throughout my teenage years, art became my source of comfort, solace, and peace. My high school art teacher, Melody Machen at Mountain Brook High School, further ignited my passion by encouraging my exploration of art history and diverse mediums. I completed chemotherapy during my senior year and went on to receive a four-year art scholarship to Birmingham-Southern College. I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in Graphic Design with a minor in Art History. My four years at BSC were transformative, solidifying my artistic foundation and deepening my love for painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, graphic design, and art history. After graduation, I spent over fifteen years working as a graphic designer with Architectural Specialties, a local design-build signage company. My work included logo design, branding, graphic layouts, and portfolio development. As chronic health challenges began to affect my daily life, I made the decision to step away from full-time work to focus on healing, freelancing, and embracing a more flexible schedule—one that allowed me to spend meaningful time with my family and joyfully raise my son, Drew. In recent years, I have completed numerous painting, photography, and graphic design commissions while continually exploring new techniques and approaches. I am especially drawn to abstract and intuitive art, finding inspiration through faith and in the beauty God offers us each day. I love transforming ordinary objects into something unexpected and extraordinary. I love layers, textures and drawn to process over polish, to work that feels alive rather than controlled. I am endlessly curious and passionate about learning, meeting new people, and hearing their stories. When I’m not creating, I enjoy sunsets, traveling, beach days, sports, and spending time with friends and family—especially my cavapoo, Bear. My faith is the foundation of my strength and creativity, guiding both my art and my life’s purpose.