Sometimes inspirations strikes the most unusual way.
This was one of those times.
Last year I created a small collection of rainbow cat illustrations that turned into greeting cards, art prints and stickers. They feature happy little cats perched on rainbows, spreading love and acceptance wherever they land. But the idea didn’t start with Pride. It started with a walk… and a memory.
The Walk That Sparked My Rainbow Cat Illustrations
I was at home drawing my cat Sia (which is fairly standard behaviour in my home). I mean have you seen her? How can you not?! But at the time I had no idea what the drawing would become or what the theme would be. Sometimes I just draw and let the idea reveal itself later.
That afternoon I went for a walk. It was the first time that day that it stopped raining and the sun was beginning to peak through the receding clouds. I remember enjoying the wet smell of the earth and smiling at the raindrops as they sparkled like little diamonds. Thinking there was no better artist than Mother Nature.
And suddenly there it was — a beautiful rainbow stretching across the sky.
Rainbows always make me ridiculously happy. I feel like I’m witnessing something secret, something magic. I used to have the same reaction every single time: I used to point dramatically at the sky and shout like a child, “rainbow”!
They also make me think of my friend, Thanit, who I met many years ago, when I was living a completely different life working on a yacht. Whenever I got excited about a rainbow and pointed at it, he would immediately scold me.
“Don’t point!”
Apparently, according to some Asian legends, you should never point at a rainbow because a spirit or supernatural being sits on it — and if you point, she might fall. Some versions of the folklore even suggests your finger might swell/rot/fall off too if you do so. Yikes!
I’d never heard about this before – but Thanit was quite adamant and reprimanded me every time I forgot to control my pointy finger. So the story stuck with me. From then on I tried very hard not to point at rainbows. Just in case.
The Moment the Rainbow Cat Was Born
Standing there on that walk, smiling at the memory, a little idea started to form.
How cool would it be if there was a magical cat sitting on the rainbow instead of some spirit? Honestly, I thought that would be an excellent improvement to the myth. And just like that — lightbulb moment.
I rushed home and got to work immediately. When the Art Gods send a hint, I try not to question them too much. I just follow the nudge and see where it leads.
Over the next few days I found myself completely absorbed in drawing. Before long, I was staring at five different rainbow cat designs sitting on my screen. And they made me smile every time I looked at them. It felt like somehow they demanded to be born and I was just the thing holding the pencil. They just felt..good.
The Meaning of Rainbows: A Symbol of Hope and Pride
Once the drawings were finished, something else became clear.
Rainbows have symbolised hope and connection across cultures for centuries. Long before they became associated with Pride, they appeared in myths and folklore around the world — often representing bridges between worlds, promises after storms, or moments of magic. Today, the rainbow is widely recognised as a symbol of LGBTQ+ Pride, representing diversity, identity and belonging.
It felt like my cheerful little rainbow cats suddenly had a purpose. That symbolism felt like a perfect match for my creations. The collection became a celebration of colour, individuality and the idea that everyone deserves to feel accepted exactly as they are.
Meet the Rainbow Cats
Each rainbow cat in the collection has its own personality — and they were modeled by real cats in my life.
The first rainbow cat was inspired by my own beloved ragdoll, Sia. She looks sassy and confident, perched proudly on the rainbow and sporting a cute trans-coloured bow as a little nod to the trans community.
The second cat is my boy Felix. He’s wearing a non-binary coloured bucket hat and looks sweet, innocent and extremely huggable.
The third cat might be the most stylish of the bunch — a handsome tabby wearing pink glasses, a rainbow tie and holding a martini. He reminds me very much of my cousin Szabi, who would absolutely be this cat if he were reincarnated as a fabulous rainbow feline.
The fourth cat was inspired by my sister’s cat Fluff. He has rainbow spray paint on his face and is being hugged by the rainbow itself. He looks like he’s ready to party!
And last but not least, my sister’s other kitty Smokey is lounging lazily across the rainbow looking extremely pleased with himself, wearing a headband decorated with tiny rainbow hearts. (see him here)
Each one brought a different personality to the collection, which made the whole process even more fun.
Why Cats Make Surprisingly Perfect Pride Ambassadors
Cats have never been particularly interested in fitting neatly into anyone’s expectations. They are independent, expressive, occasionally dramatic, and completely comfortable being exactly who they are. They stretch where they like, nap where they please, and generally move through life with the quiet confidence of creatures who know their worth. Which, when you think about it, might make them excellent unofficial ambassadors for Pride.
Cats don’t apologise for their personalities. Some are bold and mischievous, others are gentle and shy. Some demand attention, while others prefer to observe the world from a sunny windowsill. Yet every single one of them has a place and a presence that feels entirely their own.
I think there’s something rather beautiful and inspiring about that.
In many ways, cats remind us that we don’t have to fit into narrow boxes or expectations to belong. We are allowed to be playful, colourful, quiet, loud, silly, stylish, dramatic, curious — or all of the above. When people look at my rainbow cat art, I hope they see more than just cute illustrations.
I hope they remember it’s ok to be exactly who you are. To wear what makes you feel good, and to appear as your truest self. I hope they remember to be more like a cat.
If a cheerful cat sitting proudly on a rainbow can remind someone of those things — even for a moment — then that little drawing has done something meaningful. The world could always use a bit more colour, courage, and cat-like confidence.
Why Art Matters For Pride
Art has always played an important role in social movements. It has the power to express things words sometimes can’t. It can challenge prejudice, celebrate identity, build empathy, and create spaces where people feel seen and valued.
Pride art in particular has a long history of bringing colour and visibility to LGBTQ+ communities. From posters and murals to illustrations and fashion, it has helped transform Pride into the vibrant global celebration it is today. Art can also be a simple but meaningful way to celebrate Pride or show support for someone you care about. Small things — like sending a Pride greeting card, decorating your home with colourful artwork, or gifting a playful sticker — can carry a message of encouragement and acceptance.
If someone opens one of these rainbow cat greeting cards and smiles — or feels supported, accepted, or a little less alone — then the artwork has done its job.
From Sketchbook to Pride Collection
Once the drawings were finished, it was time to turn them into physical products. (Check out my print unboxing here!)
The illustrations eventually became:
Creating products from my artwork has been a wonderful part of my journey as an artist. If you’re curious how I first started turning my drawings into products, you can read more about it in my post about how I turned my love of cats and colour into a side business.
Offering my art on physical products completes my other passion, surface pattern design, beautifully. These two seemingly different avenues opened up a whole new world of possibilities for where my illustrations could live.
From Sketchbook to Exhibition: A Rainbow Cat in Barcelona
One of the proudest moments for this collection happened when I submitted my first rainbow cat to be part of the ExpoMetro Barcelona Exhibition. Seeing the artwork displayed internationally was surreal — especially for a piece that began as a spontaneous sketch inspired by a walk and an Asian legend.
Creative ideas often start small. Sometimes they begin as nothing more than a scribble… and a slightly silly question like: “What if a cat sat on the rainbow?” Moments like that remind me how far an idea can travel once you bring it into the world.
If you’re curious about my ExpoMetro experience, and find out how you can participate in future events too, read about it here.
A Little Rainbow Cat Magic
If you ever see a rainbow in the sky, you’re welcome to point at it. But personally, I still don’t. Just in case Thanit was right.
Because if there really is something sitting on that rainbow… I’d like to imagine it’s a fluffy cat. And I certainly wouldn’t want to make it fall.
