Cat Wood

On one level I’m a digital artist/illustrator, who works under the name NightmareCat. I try to convey my experiences and my illnesses into my artwork, so people can relate to it, rather than looking at a “hang in there” cat or reading stories of someone who is glad they’ve got through the tunnel and it’s all sunshine and rainbows now. The reality is it’s a grimmer story. 

On another level, I’m also a neurodivergent asexual disabled feminist with she/they pronouns and I have blue hair. Anyone with right wing political views may see me as a challenge so I am also up for a debate. Oh and I’m a cat mum to a wonderful pain in the backside tuxedo cat, Davis.

I would consider myself a daydreamer, or medically I’m diagnosed as one, when asking what have I done in the past I think my go to answer would be to look blank. I hardly remember what I did half an hour ago. 

My artwork has been used by Doncaster Mind for their August 2024 exhibition and for their Mental Health Awareness week in 2023. An article I wrote about my experience with Bipolar back in 2017 was published by The Guardian . More recently, my work has been used to help RDASH with 2025's Autism Awareness Month.  I'm also a creative writer. Shortly after I had been diagnosed with dyslexia, dyspraxia and bipolar. I got a book published to prove I could write. 

I entered the mental health service in 2011 and my experiences have given me a lot of empathy. I’ve spent a lot of time the past few years promoting body positivity and trans rights, as everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their own body and feel accepted.