Of Cats and Men

Reproduced from OF CATS AND MEN Copyright © 2017 by Sam Kalda. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

Of Cats and Men Sam Kalda

For years, a silent population of men have been living their lives quietly, in happy companionship with a purring feline friend or two. We’ve been so busy wincing at the ‘crazy cat lady’ jests that we never noticed a score of men in love with cats, who’ve been shattering every stereotype that ever came with the cat lady. In his illustrated book, Of Cats and Men, Brooklyn-based illustrator Sam Kalda sets out to unfurl the stories of some of the greatest men in history who have lived, loved, laughed, cried with, and most importantly, found inspiration in their feline pals. 

‘Men are often portrayed in the company of dogs. They hunt together, run happily side by side, and ride shoulder to shoulder in mud-splattered pickups – the perfect image of masculine bliss. The dog is, after all, man’s best friend. Some men, that is. In recent years, a new population of proud, cat-loving men has come out of the proverbial ‘cat closet’, embracing the purr, mew and squint of feline companionship,’ writes Sam Kalda. In his endearing illustrations he imagines thirty revolutionary cat men living with their pets, enveloped in an unmatched sense of camaraderie. When Nikola Tesla sat petting his cat on a dry winter evening, it was the spark of static electricity produced while stroking the furry coat that prompted Tesla’s interest in the field. Fabled designer Karl Lagerfeld fell in love with Choupette while cat-sitting for a friend and the two have been inseparable since, so much so, that given a chance Lagerfeld would happily tie the knot, if it were legal. Japanese writer Haruki Murakami penned many of his novels in the company of his cats, and his stories carry subtle hints of his feline fascination. Celebrated poet Charles Bukowski found his muse in his many cats, and advised, ‘If you’re feeling bad, just look at the cats, you’ll feel better, because they know that everything is, just as it is. There’s nothing to get excited about. They just know. They’re saviours...’ 

Of Cats and Men Reproduced from OF CATS AND MEN Copyright © 2017 by Sam Kalda. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

Reproduced from OF CATS AND MEN Copyright © 2017 by Sam Kalda. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

I connect with Sam Kalda over a string of mails, and he tells me why this book was always in the making.

What led you to Of Cats and Men?
Years ago, I came across some photos of Jean Cocteau and Marlon Brando with their cats and I became intrigued with the notion of a 'Catman.' This led to the idea of creating a historical list of Catmen, which seemed like a fun project with a quirky cast of characters.

You are a self-proclaimed cat fancier. Tell us a little about your feline friends. Do they, at all, influence your creative process?
I've always loved cats. Right now I have one cat named named Sister---she’s a regal beast. I’m not really sure that she influences my creative process per se, but she does love to walk across my keyboard or lay across my drawing paper.

Of Cats and Men Reproduced from OF CATS AND MEN Copyright © 2017 by Sam Kalda. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

Reproduced from OF CATS AND MEN Copyright © 2017 by Sam Kalda. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

How did the research take shape? How long did it take for the book to come together?
I love to read and do research, and started collecting books about cats in art history, literature, etc. I began an earlier version of the book about five years ago, so I was lucky to have the benefit of time in accumulating references and ideas.

Do you think our relationship with our pets – whether feline or canine – holds a lens to a different facet of our personality?
When I brought my current cat home for the first time, I was in a cab and she was very upset---howling, meowing, etc. The cab driver and I got talking about cats [turned out, he had like 10 of them], and I remember he said something to the effect of 'animals make us more human.' I think caring for a pet makes us more intuitive and compassionate as people.

Of Cats and Men Reproduced from OF CATS AND MEN Copyright © 2017 by Sam Kalda. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

Reproduced from OF CATS AND MEN Copyright © 2017 by Sam Kalda. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

What is your first memory of drawing?
I have no one early memory of drawing, but growing up, I drew hundreds of witches and wizards.

What informs your sensibility when it comes to your work?
I love art and design history, and am a collector of all sorts of design ephemera. Some of my influences are Edward Bawden, Maira Kalman, Will Barnet, Peewee's Playhouse, vintage picture books, Weiner Werkstatte design, mid century furniture, art deco posters, well-curated bookshelves, old interior design magazines, et al.

Of Cats and Men Reproduced from OF CATS AND MEN Copyright © 2017 by Sam Kalda. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

Reproduced from OF CATS AND MEN Copyright © 2017 by Sam Kalda. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

As an illustrator, are there any themes you find yourself gravitating towards?
Often I’m drawn to interiors filled with collections---libraries, cabinets of curiosity, etc. I think interior spaces can tell stories in really quiet ways.

What’s next for you? Where do you go from here?
I’ve started work on another book and will be illustrating a picture book this fall.

Of Cats and Men Photography by Daniel Seung Lee

Photography by Daniel Seung Lee

Take a look at Sam's work here.


Text Ritupriya Basu