HEADLINE NEWS
17th March 2025
17 March 2025
A superb double page spread in the Jersey Evening Post showcases Catherine's work as both an artist and a writer. Featured are military horses and royal portraits. Catherine is currently completing her reimagining of the adventurous true story of Bernard Scheidhauer, a young French Pilot who became one of the "Great Escapers" from Stalag Luft III POW camp during World War II after making an emergency landing on German-occupied Jersey in 1942. Intended(mostly) for children aged 9 - 12 years old, although with wider interest to anyone connected to Jersey and the Occupation years, the story is also being illustrated by Catherine.
JEP article: words by author and journalist, Alasdair Crosby, photographs by David Ferguson.
Full text of article below:
CAPTURING A FLEETING MOMENT
The art of Cate Hamilton reflects her love of animals, especially horses and dogs. She talked about her work – and her subjects - to ALASDAIR CROSBY
THERE was never a time in her life when Cate Hamilton didn’t love horses, well perhaps between the ages of zero and three. But by the age of four she was already learning to care for a Shetland pony, bought by her mother.
She grew up in a family which included many four legged and feathered members - dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and budgies, but her main love was always ponies and horses.
Likewise, there was never a time that she does not remember painting: “I think my parents were inspired to put pencils, crayons and paint into my hands. If you occupy small hands, they don’t make mischief. So better to get the child to create something, rather than to create trouble!”
She continued: “My father was a very keen artist. He studied engineering design, and I like to think that some of his skills as a draughtsman rubbed off on me.”
The family lived in Jersey, where she went to school at St Michael’s and then at JCG, but unfortunately, her father died when she was aged 11, plunging the family into a “challenging” situation. So, despite her obvious talent, she never got to attend university or art school.
So, was her art self-taught?
“To a degree. I was always mad on horses, and I was constantly scribbling pictures of them in the back of my school exercise books. I was taught art at school by Pat Millar and Pat Robson, both of whom were very encouraging – I took the subject at A level.”
Instead of pursuing further art education, Cate found a job in the finance industry, but also worked in farming, as a primary school assistant and even as a “milk maid”, caring for and helping to milk a herd of cattle in the Island. There was also a brief foray as a professional dancer when she was one of the ‘Lost Boys’ in a production of Peter Pan.
But the nomadic life of an entertainer was not for her and in due course she married and had a family. Art took a back seat in her life, although everyone who knew her realised that it was still her passion.
“When my two daughters, Juliette and Caroline came along, there was not much time for art, anyway, but we had ponies for them and a lot of energy was taken up with both children and their ponies!”
But, as all parents know, childhood quickly passes, and Cate’s elder daughter Juliette now has a family of her own while Caroline is in her final year of university. Meanwhile, at home, redundant bedroom space became packed with Cate’s artwork and materials.
“After my daughters left home, I refocused on painting and my other passion, writing.” Cate remarked. Currently, alongside paintings, she is writing and illustrating a book for children, reimagining the true story of Bernard Scheidhauer, a young World War II hero. “Bernard fled German occupied France in a fishing boat, joined the Free French in England and completed RAF training. He survived the infamous Dieppe raid, and later, a near-drowning in the English Channel following a mid-air collision.” Explained Cate. “In November 1942, his Spitfire was damaged by anti-aircraft fire over France during a mission. He landed in occupied Jersey, believing it was The Isle of Wight and was arrested. He was sent to Stalag Luft III POW camp and eventually took part in The Great Escape.”
Researching the story began with Cate painting Bernard’s portrait, a reproduction of which was unveiled at the Trinity memorial to his memory by Lieutenant Governor, Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd CBE in 2023.
“While chatting about Bernard with a primary school teacher, whose pupils took part in the remembrance service, I was asked if I’d write a children’s book about him.” Cate recalls.” So, I began!”
Cate’s artwork featuring animals, continues, however, commissioned by owners who want a permanent record of their best friend.
“I prefer drawing from life and have a pretty extensive equine portfolio - but I also take photos and videos, and I sketch from those, as well.”
One favourite equestrian art project has been to paint horses of the Household Cavalry, which involved Cate taking several hundred photos to fix the scenes in her memory. One portrait of a Trumpeter’s mount featured in the Annual Exhibition of the UK Society of Equestrian Artists, winning the “Visitor’s Choice” award.
Then there are dogs – the other great love of her life.
A painting hangs in her studio of Alfie, her late German Shepherd Dog, shown brim-full of life and energy: “He was a very happy dog – I hope that comes out. I love dogs, and I’m glad to be able to produce a permanent memory of a favourite pet.”
Her pictures of humans are of people whose face has made an impression on her, from Catherine, Princess of Wales for example, to the face of a dignified – even regal looking - African woman, spotted in a crowd.
Since 2011 Cate and her husband, John have lived in Trinity, sharing their home with six dogs and five ponies.
It is, perhaps, her commissioned work for pet owners that gives her the most satisfaction.
“It’s an honour to reproduce a memory of a favourite dog or a horse. That’s what it’s all about – it’s capturing a fleeting moment for all time. It’s a privilege to be able to do it.”
A superb double page spread in the Jersey Evening Post showcases Catherine's work as both an artist and a writer. Featured are military horses and royal portraits. Catherine is currently completing her reimagining of the adventurous true story of Bernard Scheidhauer, a young French Pilot who became one of the "Great Escapers" from Stalag Luft III POW camp during World War II after making an emergency landing on German-occupied Jersey in 1942. Intended(mostly) for children aged 9 - 12 years old, although with wider interest to anyone connected to Jersey and the Occupation years, the story is also being illustrated by Catherine.
JEP article: words by author and journalist, Alasdair Crosby, photographs by David Ferguson.
Full text of article below:
CAPTURING A FLEETING MOMENT
The art of Cate Hamilton reflects her love of animals, especially horses and dogs. She talked about her work – and her subjects - to ALASDAIR CROSBY
THERE was never a time in her life when Cate Hamilton didn’t love horses, well perhaps between the ages of zero and three. But by the age of four she was already learning to care for a Shetland pony, bought by her mother.
She grew up in a family which included many four legged and feathered members - dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and budgies, but her main love was always ponies and horses.
Likewise, there was never a time that she does not remember painting: “I think my parents were inspired to put pencils, crayons and paint into my hands. If you occupy small hands, they don’t make mischief. So better to get the child to create something, rather than to create trouble!”
She continued: “My father was a very keen artist. He studied engineering design, and I like to think that some of his skills as a draughtsman rubbed off on me.”
The family lived in Jersey, where she went to school at St Michael’s and then at JCG, but unfortunately, her father died when she was aged 11, plunging the family into a “challenging” situation. So, despite her obvious talent, she never got to attend university or art school.
So, was her art self-taught?
“To a degree. I was always mad on horses, and I was constantly scribbling pictures of them in the back of my school exercise books. I was taught art at school by Pat Millar and Pat Robson, both of whom were very encouraging – I took the subject at A level.”
Instead of pursuing further art education, Cate found a job in the finance industry, but also worked in farming, as a primary school assistant and even as a “milk maid”, caring for and helping to milk a herd of cattle in the Island. There was also a brief foray as a professional dancer when she was one of the ‘Lost Boys’ in a production of Peter Pan.
But the nomadic life of an entertainer was not for her and in due course she married and had a family. Art took a back seat in her life, although everyone who knew her realised that it was still her passion.
“When my two daughters, Juliette and Caroline came along, there was not much time for art, anyway, but we had ponies for them and a lot of energy was taken up with both children and their ponies!”
But, as all parents know, childhood quickly passes, and Cate’s elder daughter Juliette now has a family of her own while Caroline is in her final year of university. Meanwhile, at home, redundant bedroom space became packed with Cate’s artwork and materials.
“After my daughters left home, I refocused on painting and my other passion, writing.” Cate remarked. Currently, alongside paintings, she is writing and illustrating a book for children, reimagining the true story of Bernard Scheidhauer, a young World War II hero. “Bernard fled German occupied France in a fishing boat, joined the Free French in England and completed RAF training. He survived the infamous Dieppe raid, and later, a near-drowning in the English Channel following a mid-air collision.” Explained Cate. “In November 1942, his Spitfire was damaged by anti-aircraft fire over France during a mission. He landed in occupied Jersey, believing it was The Isle of Wight and was arrested. He was sent to Stalag Luft III POW camp and eventually took part in The Great Escape.”
Researching the story began with Cate painting Bernard’s portrait, a reproduction of which was unveiled at the Trinity memorial to his memory by Lieutenant Governor, Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd CBE in 2023.
“While chatting about Bernard with a primary school teacher, whose pupils took part in the remembrance service, I was asked if I’d write a children’s book about him.” Cate recalls.” So, I began!”
Cate’s artwork featuring animals, continues, however, commissioned by owners who want a permanent record of their best friend.
“I prefer drawing from life and have a pretty extensive equine portfolio - but I also take photos and videos, and I sketch from those, as well.”
One favourite equestrian art project has been to paint horses of the Household Cavalry, which involved Cate taking several hundred photos to fix the scenes in her memory. One portrait of a Trumpeter’s mount featured in the Annual Exhibition of the UK Society of Equestrian Artists, winning the “Visitor’s Choice” award.
Then there are dogs – the other great love of her life.
A painting hangs in her studio of Alfie, her late German Shepherd Dog, shown brim-full of life and energy: “He was a very happy dog – I hope that comes out. I love dogs, and I’m glad to be able to produce a permanent memory of a favourite pet.”
Her pictures of humans are of people whose face has made an impression on her, from Catherine, Princess of Wales for example, to the face of a dignified – even regal looking - African woman, spotted in a crowd.
Since 2011 Cate and her husband, John have lived in Trinity, sharing their home with six dogs and five ponies.
It is, perhaps, her commissioned work for pet owners that gives her the most satisfaction.
“It’s an honour to reproduce a memory of a favourite dog or a horse. That’s what it’s all about – it’s capturing a fleeting moment for all time. It’s a privilege to be able to do it.”