“We can't take any credit for our talents. It's how we use them that counts.” - Madeleine L'Engle. Cathe’s disability has never slowed her down in using her wonderful gifted talents to create. In fact, there is no stopping this multi-talented artist with a solid arts background having attended Massachusetts College of Arts and California Institute of the Arts along with her professional experience being a writer, comedian, comic book creator and a radio host. In her role as a comic book creator, Cathe has created several memorable projects such as RatmanDO-the RatGirl and her latest called Meeker’s manners. Cathe has been recognized with honors such as Ahmanon scholar and Best Twitter Artist and for her work on Ehlers-Danlos awareness projects and for Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

How did you get the idea for the comic RatmanDo - the RATGIRL?C: I started Ratmando-The RATGIRL! as a response to my own frustrations of being a disabled woman, who is often frustrated by what others take for granted- such as being able to open a restroom door when the wheelchair isn't able to fit in the doorway, or reaching an ATM - as my friend Tanyalee Davis, the comedian, has difficulty with- because of her dwarfism. I started to observe every day events that were obviously taken for granted, and putting these in the context of a "super hero". As I started to work on these ideas, which came far too easily, I admit, I met more people who had ideas- who had frustrations- and started to incorporate their stories as well. In one instance, I ended up befriending a woman of an autistic boy. He had issues with communicating to people. For him, I created a character based on things he enjoyed, and made his character the best understood in the world. She gave him this cartoon for his birthday. That was ten years ago, and the boy is now a high school graduate. That made ME feel like I communicated better, and allowed her, as a mother, to share that she understood her son's frustrations. To create a comic, like Ratmando, is to me, a great way to share with the world that we are all able to understand each other better if we just see how we can accomplish things in kindness. Ratmando has had a hiatus for about two years, and she's been on my mind quite a bit. I've started working on a Ratmando-Graphic Novel, and this will include a lot more free comics online for people, and a request from other folks with disabilities or "birth defects", has allowed me to incorporate more characters into her world. I look forward to more people contacting me about their issues- so they can appear as characters, as.well. She's been on hold as I had to study ways to make sure those who have visual and audio disabilities can enjoy her- by adding audio files or text files to the imagery as scripts. That will be incorporated in the newer versions, and retroactively to the older comics.

Can you tell us more about Meeker's Manners, the graphic novel?C: Meeker's Manners is an homage to all of the detective stories I loved as a kid. It's a bit Columbo, Nancy Drew, and Robert Ludlum. And, as a sci-fi-aholic, I've also infused the storylines with a definite Avengers feel and a bit of a Space 1999 with the quirky, loving tribute to Dr. Who. The characters themselves are based on drawings I've done for martial artists, and for dancers. There was a group of dancers in the late 1980's from Korea who had me draw posters of them, and I had sat in their rehearsals. Two characters are specifically based on these moments in my life. Finally, as a history fanatic, who wants FACTS to be part of the future, I've also added some lesser known people from American culture, who changed the world simply by being who they were. Ezra Meeker, for whom the tales are named, was quite a character in his own right, and his story is part of the mystery.
Again, this is still a fictional novel. But, the age of online has changed how we read, how we interact. Therefore, I also incorporated a role playing game as PART of the Graphic Novel Experience. Readers can enjoy the story as it is, or find hidden clues within that will lead to easter eggs I've hidden all throughout online locations. The easter eggs lead to a substory that gives a lead in to the next novel and its mystery. Readers who choose the ARG, or stumble into it, can also join an online chat room with others- create their OWN characters- that may be incorporated into the next novel. In this, I hope Meeker's becomes an ongoing novel-event, that lasts as long as I can write. Or beyond.
The story begins with a young woman, (I try to make my protagonists female, and often they are of multicultural backgrounds, or have a disability), who goes to visit her brother who his in graduate school in Boston, after their parents death. When she arrives- her brother is missing, and a strange, large eyed man seems to be following her. She also meets Kenji, a Japanese student, who is also in search of his sister. The pair try to discover the reasons why their siblings are gone and learn about a think tank held at a location called "Meekers' Manor". The tale interweaves into three continents, sciences, oceanographics, and an underworld group of malevolent "illuminati". Along the way there are comedic moments, horrorific moments, and multi-layers of mystery, I hope others will find intriguing.

You started your journey as a comedian in the company of legends like Denis Leary. Can you tell us about this experience and how you became a professional comedian?C: Becoming a comedian isn't easy but it's certainly unrewarding. Okay, it's a lot of fun and I enjoy every second of it. I was raised in Boston, which is in its heart, a smart-ass town. You can't have a regular conversation in any way shape or form in the Boston area without someone quipping, or adding witticism- it's just not done. I don't know whether it's the Puritan-gone-wild in us, or if it's the fact the area was made up of sailors and fisherman for so long- but being fast on the tongue is the communication operandi. A lot of cynicism exists in Boston comedy- in that we look at the world as "how can that stupid thing exist?" and then further those ideas with "and why I am I this person who does these stupid things?". It's also one of the better educated cities. I think that leads to self-awareness at an early age, and it leads to discerning politics, language, history, humanity and sociology at an early age. Only in Boston can someone say "I went to hAAAHVid. I'm smaaaht." -- sounding like a leftover in a boxing match, yet still be able to give Latin novels a good once over. As a kid, I met other kids who all had the same ideas of what do be when grown- a writer or politician. Those of us who elected to be writers went into comedy, and those who went into politics also went into comedy.
There are people who say "to get into stand-up, you have to work really hard", and that's nonsense. To get into comedy, you have to FAIL really often. You fail on day one- trying to find a place to perform for the first time. You fail on stage, because if people always laugh, you aren't sure it's because it's your material, or if they are laughing AT you, out of discomfort. Failing is a wonderful thing, and it needs to be embraced.
That said, the story of my first time doing stand up:
I was in a theater arts high school, and spent most of my free time as a volunteer at a theater called the Charles Playhouse. The theater had three stages: Main stage, Shear Madness dedicated stage, and "The Comedy Connection", which was the comedy club, and just down the street from the Nick's Comedy Stop. The comedy community was very tight and I'd meet Steve Sweeney, Tony V, Paula Poundstone, Lizz Winstead nearly daily as back then we were all YOUNG and no one knew who would eventually be super famous. One of these comics I would see, Denis Leary, emcee'd, and hung out at the Charles Playhouse before the shows. I was given the challenge after he heard me smart mouthing the owner of the theater. He said if I could do a minute on stage and get people laughing, he'd give me a dollar. For every minute they'd stay laughing, I'd get a dollar. That was when I was 17, had never actually been old enough to see OTHER comedy shows other than what I got to peek in at the theater. My big heroes in comedy were Phyllis Diller, Moms Mabely, and George Carlin. I also stayed glued to comedians on the Tonight show. The idea of writing a few moments and having people hear what I wrote excited me. But that was my only experience in comedy- watching and hearing. Denis' had his bet with me, and I had to deliver. That night, I started talking about my sports teams, Celtics and Red Sox. One minute, Denis nodded to keep going. Two minutes- same nod. Then three, then four, then when it got to ten, "Okay kid, stop, I'm running out of money". So my first time- I got a great crowd, a ten dollar bill, and my first time hearing audiences enjoy what I had to say. It doesn't always go that way- in fact, the next three times on stage I struggled very hard. But, I didn't quit. I learned why I failed, and what was a way to bring an audience back, and what was a way to bring tears to people's eyes. There's not always a 100% great show. I also learned later on from friends, Dennis Wolfberg, or Robin Williams, it doesn't matter if you are the most famous or the funniest person in the room- there will be times that people just won't laugh. It doesn't mean you're bad- it means you have to learn better. The more you LEARN about failing, the better you will be, and less afraid of those non-laughter moments. When Robin Williams said he didn't get laughs, I didn't believe it, until I saw it... and then I got it.

What was the biggest challenge you have faced and how did you overcome it?C: Biggest Challenge? Hmmm.....most of us share this one- the inner critic. I think of Olympic Ice Skaters- when I watch them and they fail- they don't RETRY the part of the program they failed- the jump right back into where they should be, and continue. I often wish my inner critic would let me do this. Instead, it rehashes the failure ad nauseum until there's nothing else to think of. In it's place, I think it's mandatory to rehash the things that work, the things that feel right, the things that you're glad about. As I get older, I realize more and more that the failures I see in myself are often NEVER seen by others. I realize that I don't see others' failures either. What may be earth shattering in my head is completely benign in the big picture. And, on the flip side, things I or others should be obsessed over- we ignore. Someone gives us a compliment- we ignore it, and think about all the things that are wrong instead- or tell the person giving it that our faults are....____. It's this misbelief that our humility is more important than thinking good about ourselves. My hope and my personal challenge is to keep rehashing those positives. I have to accept things that are just facts- I'm not a skinny muscular pretty girl, I'm a 'girl next door' looking person who has physical challenges. I can change my hair color. I can change my clothes. I can change how I interact with others so it's out of kindness and not personal frustration. If I waste time aggravating myself on all of my can'ts, I will never arrive to my CAN, Do, AM.

Who is your inspiration?C: People who inspire me aren't famous, as a general rule. They are people I meet. I get inspired weekly, daily, because EVERYONE has a story worth hearing. This week I met a woman who adopted four kids from different countries who were abandoned because they each had HIV positive on their health reports. I met two of these kids with her- one is now attending Stanford, and the other is about to enter middle school, and they were very charming boys. I think the best way to get inspired is to find out what is in common with you both. In her case, I started chatting because she and I had dogs in a dog park.

Who is your favorite artist? Which of his/her work you like the most?C: As far as famous people go- I look at Mayim Byalik as a pretty well rounded, heart filled person. I watch her podcasts, (Yay, groks!), and even when I don't agree with her, I see how she formulates how she thinks what she thinks. That's refreshing. I've also watched how she has changed her mind through listening to others, and learning. That is also refreshing. Comedy-wise- I'm still a big fan of Phyllis Diller and Moms. Art-wise- Robert Williams came to Calarts when I was there, and hearing how he spoke about art helped shape how I perceive things. I also love the work of Jan Svankemeyer. His art takes small concepts and turns them into deeper visions. Music wise, Kate Bush, Pink- and so many brilliant women writers and singers on the indie circuit. I am a die-hard Pearl Jam fan also because I watch how their politics and music blend well and the way they treat audiences is like family. (I'm one of the featured faces in the "Jeremy" cut of Let's Play Two! film they released.) Primus is also one of my big influences- Les Claypool is a sheer delight. But, no one can take away my Motown!
Christine Panushka and Joanne Priestley are two of my favorite artists, and fortunately, friends. When an artist can take a simple line and create an emotional response- it's magic. These two animators are brilliant. Most of my comics are influenced by the Impressionists and the Dada-ists in art. I think that since I have had a non-comic art background my imagery is different than most. Terry Moore, whose Echo has deeply influenced how I present stories, said my art was "uniquely its own and different in a really good way". That was the best compliment I have ever had.

What do you like to do when you are with your family/friends?C: My life has been deeply chaotic when it comes to relationships and family, unfortunately. But, I have some friends who are fabulous humans. My housemates and I like to watch Warriors games, or British Dramedies. I visit museums or go to live shows with them- we went to the MST3K tour recently, and I'm often at concerts- recently I took them to Dhani Harrison's show in San Francisco.

What are your other hobbies?C: I spend a lot of time on my own with my dog, cat, and robots. I have Cozmo, and do some programming on him. I also like photography. Songwriting and drumming are two of my favorite things, although I also play guitar, and sing on occasion.

What tips/advice do you have for those in our community who want to explore their creative side?C: I keep empty art books around me- lots of places to draw, scribble, and write ideas. I like writing down dreams. I also use voice programs to keep my thoughts- Dragon or Alexa. Sometimes I get inspired to be creative by forcing myself NOT to be creative. That is a big one. When creativity becomes a challenge- I challenge other things until all I can do is burst open with creativity.

Any special message for our community?C: Don't limit yourself to one idea. If you think you want to be a singer- great- but maybe you're also a really good song writer. Or maybe writing and singing is a way for you to learn an instrument. Or maybe learning an instrument is a way for you to discover science. See how things lead you to new things. When you find the thing that draws you back to it over and over- that's likely your talent, and you should nurture that! It could be as big as rocket science or as small as making people smile.