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Chicago Cat Turns Pottery Wheel Into His Creative Outlet, Crafting Masterpieces With His Own Paws

Chicago Cat Turns Pottery Wheel Into His Creative Outlet, Crafting Masterpieces With His Own Paws

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As devoted cat parents, we all know how much our feline friends love sticking their adorable noses into our business.

Whether we’re cooking or working on our laptops, they insist on being there to supervise – just to make sure we’re doing everything the right way.

Sophia, a fellow cat mom from Chicago, can definitely relate. As a talented potter and doodler, she’s used to her two cats, June and Momo, taking an interest in whatever she’s up to.

But it wasn’t long before Sophia noticed something special: her sweet boy Momo had an unusual passion for her pottery wheel. 

In fact, he didn’t just observe – he joined in and became a potter himself. Or should we say, a pawtter! Here’s their story!

How Momo Entered Sophia’s Life

black and white cat licking itself
Credit: Sophia Renata

Before diving into Momo’s pottery skills, let’s go back to the beginning and see how he became a part of Sophia’s life. 

It all started when Sophia and her partner, Alec, decided they wanted to add a new roommate to their household – specifically, a furry one who doesn’t pay rent.

So, they visited their local shelter and fell head over heels for a charming kitty named June.

black and white cat licking itself
Credit: Sophia Renata

June fit purrfectly into their little family and quickly proved to be the ideal feline companion for Sophia and Alec.

However, since June wasn’t used to being an only child, her pawrents decided she needed a sibling – which is how Momo came into their lives!

two cats are lying in a basket
Credit: Sophia Renata

From the moment they met, Momo and June were inseparable. They became instant besties, sharing every moment and enjoying each other’s company.

While the two shared many similarities, there was one key difference: Momo’s curious fascination with his mom’s work.

Every time Sophia sat down at her pottery wheel, Momo would eagerly join her, curious about what she was up to.

Before long, one thing led to another, and Momo decided he wanted to become a potter himself!

Momo’s Artistic Touch 

cats look at molds
Credit: Sophia Renata

In an interview about Momo’s pottery journey, Sophia shared that he had always been curious about the pottery wheel.

And since cats often mimic their owners, it was only a matter of time before Momo tried his paw at pottery!

“Anytime I was throwing on the wheel, he really showed interest in wanting to participate and really beginning to design some of his own work as well!”

A girl holds a cat to watch a statue being made
Credit: Sophia Renata

The entire process goes like this: Sophia starts by shaping the clay vessel, setting the stage for Momo to add his playful, purrsonal flair.

At first, Momo would bat curiously at the spinning wheel and the base of the clay – classic kitten behavior, right?

But soon, Sophia began holding him above the rim of the pot, letting him reshape the vessel with his paws. 

The result? Stunning pottery adorned with unique claw-mark patterns around the rims, giving each piece a one-of-a-kind artistic feline touch!

Not only does Momo help shape the pottery, but Sophia also lets him paint ‘slip’ – a pigmented, watered-down clay – onto the pieces.

Sophia holds the brush while Momo gently guides it with his paw, creating intricate and one-of-a-kind designs.

Chicago truly has an artistic gem in this talented feline, don’t you agree?

You might think a cat working with clay all day would be covered in it – but not Momo! No dirty paws here – because he actually enjoys bath time!

As Sophia shared:

“He loves his baths! He’ll put his head under the faucet!”

black and white cat touches a clay bowl with its paw
Credit: Sophia Renata

After months of practice, Momo became more independent, mastering the art of pottery without Sophia’s help! 

This newfound freedom sparked a wave of creativity, allowing him to embrace a more abstract approach to his designs. As Sophia affectionately described his thought process:

“If you’re making a bowl, why does it have to be shaped like a bowl? Why can’t it have claw marks on it?”

The cat is making a clay bowl
Credit: Sophia Renata

Like any artistic genius, it seems Momo let his imagination run wild. 

Perhaps, as with all great artists, his brilliance is something we mere mortals may never fully understand, haha!

“Wait, You Can Actually Buy Momo’s Designs?”

black bowl with cat motifs
Credit: Sophia Renata

Yes, you heard that right! Momo’s masterpieces are available for purchase on Sophia’s official Shopify website. 

That is – if you’re quick enough! Momo’s creations sell out in minutes! According to Sophia:

“Everything by Momo sold out in less than two minutes. I’m incredibly grateful for how many people are passionate about cats and about pottery.” 

vessel with dedication
Credit: Sophia Renata

Sophia was clearly touched by the overwhelming interest in Momo’s pottery.

It’s safe to say she never expected her passion for art and her bond with her cat to resonate with so many people.

Reflecting on this heartwarming journey, she shared:

“I love pottery and to be able to do it with my cat is really special. A big love that I have outside art is animals. It’s awesome to be able to combine the two!”

For Sophia, this unique collaboration with Momo isn’t just about creating beautiful pottery – it’s a celebration of her two greatest passions. How sweet is that?

Pottery As A Bonding Moment Between Momo And Sophia

black and white cat standing on a woman's back
Credit: Sophia Renata

Apart from being a great way to combine two things she loves the most, pottery for Sophie is also a special bonding experience with her cat, Momo. As she explained:

“The reason we like to make things together is because we’re spending time with one another, just enjoying the process.”

I don’t know about you, but this story truly tugged at my heartstrings! 

I’m so happy for Sophia and Momo and wish them many more years of pottery, art, and love together.

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