Meet MCat Davis | Artist & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with MCat Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi MCat, what principle do you value most?
I highly value kindness and open-mindedness as fundamental virtues that guide my interactions and relationships with others. Kindness, to me, is the essence of humanity, reflecting empathy, compassion, and understanding towards others. Besides It hopefully creating a ripple effect of positivity, it also fosters a harmonious and inclusive environment where people feel heard, respected, and supported. In the same vein, open-mindedness is key to personal growth. It allows me to embrace diverse perspectives, experiences, and ideas with curiosity and acceptance. It encourages collaboration, innovation, and the appreciation of the richness of our differences. Together, kindness and open-mindedness shape a lot of how I engage with the world and I think the more we strive for kindness and open-mindedness, the better the world can be for everyone.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m an interdisciplinary artist currently living and working in DFW. A lot of my work is rooted in research of natural phenomena and their ephemerality. I call myself a painter first, but really like to explore a lot of different mediums in my process, which lends itself to a lot of intuitive play. I have always loved Learning and have known for a long time that i wanted to share that in some capacity with others. I’ve worked with students as young as four, and as old as Thirty-six, and have witnessed the practice of life-long learning over-and-over again. I would say my path to where I am today has not been a straight shot, and i still think I have a long way to go; but it all has led me to a place that i’m starting to be really proud of. I studied Art in undergrad at The University of Mississippi, and then had a good four year detour of working odd-jobs. I’m now currently getting a Master’s degree at the University of North Texas in Studio Art and have big dreams of teaching and/or creating a supportive space to help provide support for other artist’s and creatives. I always want to be someone who can help lift others up where i’m able, because i couldn’t be where I am without the people who did that for me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Wow there are so many good spots. Being an artist we would obviously have to make a stop at the Dallas museum of Art, The Crow, and the Nasher Sculpture Center. I also love the Warehouse and many of the galleries in the design district. Alot of amazing Artists and Art lovers have created great spaces to share work throughout Dallas. If the weather is nice, the Arboretum feels like a must. I’m a nerd for the Dallas Aquarium and always want to go. I am a fan of a good walk around White rock lake or the Katy trail with my Dog. It feels wrong to leave Dallas without getting some Tex-mex from El Fenix or Mi Cocina (not to mention a good patio margarita!)

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh, where to start! It feels wrong to just shoutout one person. I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to my childhood art teacher, Mrs. A, who played a pivotal role in shaping my creativity and need for explorative play in my practice. I can’t discount the support of so many amazing professors and mentors through my time in higher education at the University of Mississippi and the University of North Texas. I have amazing friends , both artists and non-artists, who inspire me daily. I also can’t forget the creatives in my family before me; specifically my grandparent’s, my mother, and my uncle Roger. Growing up and witnessing their passion for art, having their unwavering support, and guidance instilled in me a deep appreciation for self-expression and nurtured my artistic talents from a young age. Their belief in my potential and their loving guidance through different stages of life have helped me develop artistic skills, build confidence, and cultivate a deep appreciation for what I get to do everyday. I am forever grateful for the impact they have had on my life and artistic pursuits. I wouldn’t be where I am without all these different voices speaking truth, love, and honesty into my own life.

Website: www.mcatdavisart.com

Instagram: @mcat.davis