Today we’d like to introduce you to Bailey Kidder.
Hi Bailey, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been an artist for my entire life! In March of 2020, I was accepted to the New York Academy of Art’s residency program, but the following week, the world went on lockdown due to COVID, leading to the cancellation of the program. It wasn’t until 2024 that I began really trying to create my business. Cactus Cat Studio is inspired by my 4 cats and being based in Texas. I started off making various illustrations of cats or pop-culture related illustrations. I opened up my Etsy shop in November of 2024 and began spending my weekends participating in pop-ups and local events. In June of 2025, my boyfriend encouraged me to take the leap to pursue my business full-time and I have not looked back ever since!
In August, I was given the opportunity to join Juicebox NYC, an artist agency based in New York that collaborates with various brands to bring people together to celebrate the joy and experience of live art. Juicebox has really changed my life in the best way and has presented me with so many amazing opportunities, such as collaborating with brands like Marc Jacobs and AWAY, painting on their products. I’ve gained so many new skills, one of them being painting pets in about 15 minutes. After my monthlong campaign with Marc Jacobs in October, I really loved this nee skill and have been continuously working on refining it.
I was presented the opportunity to collaborate with Lula Pup Shop, a beautiful boutique within the Dallas Farmers Market that sells apparel and accessories for pets and pet parents, and was doing live pet portraits outside of the shop. That has been the most demanding and successful weekend I had ever had. I did well over 80 portraits in that weekend and had so much fun–ever since, I have been in Dallas several times a month at the Dallas Farmers Market doing live pet portraits or traveling for events through Juicebox. It is super cool that I am able to draw and paint and travel for a living– I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Taking that initial leap to fully rely on my business and myself for my income was the scariest thing I have ever done. I am not an impulsive person by any means. The opportunity to quit my stable job was perfectly timed with some job-related things that were going on, so while it was a very scary leap, everything around me just lined up perfectly to make it feel more possible.
The first few months were terrifying–I didn’t have a schedule, I didn’t have a plan other than to try to make it happen. My best friend, Sam (@raicodoll) has been working for herself as an artist for a few years and really helped me figure out the best way to move forward, create a good workflow, and keep the momentum going on Cactus Cat Studio.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have always been drawn to painting or illustrating animals of all kinds! I am a huge animal person. I am fond of working both digitally in Procreate or with physical mediums like acrylic paint or graphite. I have had so much fun painting pet portraits on leather–it is so different and can be challenging sometimes.
I am most proud of myself for the confidence that I have built in myself and my work. I am so beyond grateful for my community of artist friends who constantly inspire and push me to work harder and try new techniques.
Any big plans?
Though I live in Lubbock currently, most of my work is based in Dallas–while I don’t mind the drive back and forth, my partner and I actively planning to move to Dallas in the next year or two. I and thrilled to share that I will continue to be doing work with Juicebox NYC! I am so excited for what 2026 has in store. I am usually a planner, and while I have a rough idea of what my year will look like with events, working for myself has definitely opened my eyes to going with a flow and taking the hits as they come.
Pricing:
- For pricing, please email cactuscatstudio@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cactuscatstudiotx.etsy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cactuscatstudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cactuscatstudio
