A Mysterious Stranger in the Neighborhood: The Enigmatic Artist Behind 'Cat Pix'
In a quiet corner of Logan Square, a peculiar phenomenon has been unfolding for four years. Someone - or someone with impeccable taste - attached a flyer to a vacant storefront window, boasting free cat pictures upon request. What began as an enigma has since become a local legend, captivating the hearts of many and sparking curiosity about the identity behind this whimsical endeavor.
Meet Derek Erdman, a 51-year-old self-taught artist who lives in the very same apartment complex where his cat-centric project took root. With a passion for art that began at a young age, Erdman initially pursued it as a commercial venture, selling his paintings for $12 each and gradually honing his craft.
Fast-forward to today, and Erdman's art has evolved to become an integral part of his life. His Logan Square apartment, once a mere residence, now serves as an unassuming gallery space where visitors can marvel at his eclectic artwork, including Bibles with holes drilled into their centers, altered books that redefine the way we view religious teachings, and an impressive collection of feline photographs.
Cat Pix, as Erdman affectionately refers to his service, has become a labor of love. Every day, he dedicates about four minutes to responding to text messages from admirers seeking doses of cat bliss. The images are never in short supply; Erdman confesses that "I don’t know if you’re a cat owner, but whenever you leave your cat at home, you miss your cat." He continues, "And with this, you just text and say 'Hey I’d like some pics of cats please' and he sends you f--- ton pictures of cats."
Erdman's artistic journey has taken him down various paths, including stints as a graphic designer for Kinko’s and an indie record label in Seattle. More recently, his day job involves managing the office of a law firm in Fulton Market.
While Erdman's work has garnered attention from those who appreciate his unique perspective on art, it also hasn't gone unnoticed by all. Two screen-printed T-shirts featuring irreverent slogans have elicited cease-and-desist letters, highlighting the importance of considering one's audience and potential impact when creating art that pushes boundaries.
Despite these challenges, Erdman remains committed to using his platform to spread joy and inspire others. "Instead of just approaching art as something you’re making and selling, I realize it should probably be something that encompasses your entire life ... how you live your life, in a way," he reflects on his artistic philosophy.
In the end, it is clear that Derek Erdman's Cat Pix project has transcended its humble beginnings as an intriguing novelty. It now stands as a testament to the power of creativity and community engagement, reminding us all that sometimes, even the most unexpected things can bring people together in shared delight.
In a quiet corner of Logan Square, a peculiar phenomenon has been unfolding for four years. Someone - or someone with impeccable taste - attached a flyer to a vacant storefront window, boasting free cat pictures upon request. What began as an enigma has since become a local legend, captivating the hearts of many and sparking curiosity about the identity behind this whimsical endeavor.
Meet Derek Erdman, a 51-year-old self-taught artist who lives in the very same apartment complex where his cat-centric project took root. With a passion for art that began at a young age, Erdman initially pursued it as a commercial venture, selling his paintings for $12 each and gradually honing his craft.
Fast-forward to today, and Erdman's art has evolved to become an integral part of his life. His Logan Square apartment, once a mere residence, now serves as an unassuming gallery space where visitors can marvel at his eclectic artwork, including Bibles with holes drilled into their centers, altered books that redefine the way we view religious teachings, and an impressive collection of feline photographs.
Cat Pix, as Erdman affectionately refers to his service, has become a labor of love. Every day, he dedicates about four minutes to responding to text messages from admirers seeking doses of cat bliss. The images are never in short supply; Erdman confesses that "I don’t know if you’re a cat owner, but whenever you leave your cat at home, you miss your cat." He continues, "And with this, you just text and say 'Hey I’d like some pics of cats please' and he sends you f--- ton pictures of cats."
Erdman's artistic journey has taken him down various paths, including stints as a graphic designer for Kinko’s and an indie record label in Seattle. More recently, his day job involves managing the office of a law firm in Fulton Market.
While Erdman's work has garnered attention from those who appreciate his unique perspective on art, it also hasn't gone unnoticed by all. Two screen-printed T-shirts featuring irreverent slogans have elicited cease-and-desist letters, highlighting the importance of considering one's audience and potential impact when creating art that pushes boundaries.
Despite these challenges, Erdman remains committed to using his platform to spread joy and inspire others. "Instead of just approaching art as something you’re making and selling, I realize it should probably be something that encompasses your entire life ... how you live your life, in a way," he reflects on his artistic philosophy.
In the end, it is clear that Derek Erdman's Cat Pix project has transcended its humble beginnings as an intriguing novelty. It now stands as a testament to the power of creativity and community engagement, reminding us all that sometimes, even the most unexpected things can bring people together in shared delight.
but i think its kinda cool how he took somethin simple (free cat pics) & turned it into a lifestyle 
hes def not afraid 2 be different & that takes courage 
plus, who wouldn't wanna see tons of cute cat pics every day? 
idk wut i'd do w/ all dat time but i guess derek's happy w/ his 4 min daily gig 
It's like, what's not to appreciate about those little furballs? But, on the other hand, maybe we're being too hasty in thinking it's a good idea. I mean, have you seen some of the T-shirts they printed with slogans... that's just tacky 
. And then again, someone's gotta bring some art to that neighborhood and make it interesting... which is what Erdman does, even if it is kinda weird 
. Is he a genius or a crazy cat lady? I'm torn, honestly!
And isn't it a bit weird that he's making people pay for cat pictures? 
Still, it's pretty cool to see how his art has become an integral part of his life and how it brings joy to others... as long as he's mindful of the community's needs, too 
. But for real, I love how Derek Erdman just goes all out and creates this entire world around his art. It's so... him. I mean, who else is gonna put holes in Bibles? 
And can you imagine someone's first reaction when they see the T-shirts with those slogans on them 
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. And I think that's what makes his project so special - it's not just about the art itself, but about the community that's built around it.
, but I just don't get why he feels the need to make art into this full-on lifestyle thing 
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the fact that people are willing to send him money for cat pictures is just too rich 
. At first, Cat Pix was this weird thing happening in the neighborhood, but now it's like a movement or something 
. And I love how he's using art to spread joy and inspire others - that's the kind of positivity we need more of in the world 
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And I love that he's all about spreading joy and using art to bring people together. The fact that it's still going strong after four years is a testament to the power of passion and creativity. Plus, his cat-centric artwork is just too cool! 
and made it his mission to fuel it. And let's be real, the guy's got some serious skills behind the lens – I'm talking top-notch feline photography here 
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about Derek Erdman's Cat Pix project! I mean, who wouldn't want random cat pictures just because? 
It's like he's spreading some kind of feline happiness virus or something 
And the fact that it's taken over his apartment as a gallery space is just genius 
. The thing that fascinates me is how he went from selling art like a commercial venture to something so personal and community-driven. Like, what's next? 
That would be purr-fectly amazing!
? I guess Derek Erdman's got some skills, but honestly, it's just cats on paper...and he's charging for it? $12 per painting is pretty steep, if you ask me. Anyway, nice guy tries to spread joy and all that jazz, so hey, more cat pictures in the world can't be bad 
. What really gets me is how he sees his art as a way of life, something that encompasses everything he does and who he is as a person. That's just really cool 
it just goes to show you don't need a fancy art degree or huge following to create something special from the heart...and who needs Instagram when you've got a quirky flyer on a vacant storefront window 
& a knack for cat memes