You may have noticed local artist Catana Chetwynd’s beautifully elaborate chalk art on the sidewalks in Saratoga. Now Chetwynd is receiving recognition and praise from a much wider fan base for her new online comic strip: Catana Comics.
The online comic features Chetwynd’s relationship with her boyfriend, John, and everyone from the Huffington Post to this author is finding them extremely relatable. (You can see why, below.)
Q: Obviously your relationship is the inspiration for your comics. But what made you sit down one day and decide to start drawing you and your boyfriend as characters?
A: This all began on Thanksgiving 2016. I was telling John about something we learned about in one of my classes, called the mere exposure effect [in which people develop a preference for things just because they are familiar]. Well he just thought the concept was hilarious, and knew it would make a great comic. So, I decided to make one myself! Ever since then I can’t stop!
Q: Are your comics truly autobiographical or more inspired by true events?
A: A little bit of both. Things are definitely exaggerated, just as they are in any cartoon. But John and I are definitely always having a good time, and probably at least half of my comics are word-for-word conversations we’ve had!
Q: How does John feel about the comics?
A: John loves them! It was his idea to post them online. I didn’t want to, as I was worried of rude feedback. John was the one who initially posted them. He’s been so supportive and is constantly giving me new ideas for comics!
Q: Your comics are very relatable. Did you have a sense before you started that these would resonate with so many people?
A: I really had no idea! Like I said, John was the one who posted these and got them to go viral. In the first few days we have millions of views and a flood of comments! I had no idea that people would enjoy our type of humor as much as they do. I was completely caught off guard. Now I am comforted knowing other people out there are as weird as John and I.
Q: Do you have any other favorite internet comics? Did any of them inspire? (A personal favorite is Sarah Andersen, and I like your comics for much the same reason I appreciate hers, for example.)
A: I LOVE Sarah Andersen! I have been following Sarah’s Scribbles for years. She is absolutely hilarious. I really enjoy the art style of C-Cassandra and I love the adorable humor of Liz Climo.
Q: Do you have any advice for couples out there who aspire to your and John’s level of chill and understanding? After all, it is almost Valentine’s, and your comics depict a comfortable, loving relationship.
A: Relationships are all about putting in as much effort as you want back! John and I are always so much on the same page about things, we’ll often even say things at the same time. It’s lame, I know. I think the most important part of a relationship is what we were taught in first grade, treat your significant other the way you want them to treat you. Except in first grade it was with friends… you get the point.
Q: Which do you prefer: your comics or your sidewalk art?
A: Ohhhh tough question! I don’t know if I can answer that one. Chalk Art is like a rush – I’m obsessed with it during the summer and I am constantly looking for inspiration. My comics have been more consistent, a good way to relax after a long day while also making John happy! I like how intricate and artistic chalk art is, but I love the humor and simplicity of the comics.
