Cat Lotus
at 9 Lives Holistic
“Everyone involved could not be happier with how it turned out,”
— Mark Nickerson, SUNY Fredonia School of Business Lecturer, Projector Coordinator
Sponsored by the Fredonia Business Club at SUNY Fredonia, I designed an exterior 10ft x 12ft acrylic mural on the side of the feline spa, 9 Lives Holistic, depicting a cat’s face contained within a lotus flower with nine petals.
My inspiration for this design was the Lotus Flower.
The lotus flower is a spiritual symbol around the world because it grows out of the mud at the bottom of ponds and blooms beautifully on the surface. Many view the lotus as a reminder to rise above dark situations.
The client requested a mural to draw attention to the otherwise unassuming building and to promote positivity.
The center petal serves as the center of the cat’s face. Two enveloping petals on either side transform into the cat’s ears and sides of the face. Two smaller petals added to the bottom of the flower bring the total number to nine, to match the business name and reflect the saying “cats have nine lives." Silhouettes of catnip repeat behind the lotus as a reference to the business's commitment to providing holistic remedies and to also activate the space behind the cat-lotus.
Flat, graphic shapes ensure that the design would be bold and effective, thus standing out and drawing the attention of passersby from a distance.
“We just love it, we couldn’t love it more”
— Lynda and Niner Sandoval, 9 Lives Holistic Owners