My Personal Brand Story

My Personal Brand Story

I’m Catherine McAtier, an Embroidery and Textile Artist, and the founder of WHAT IF Paisley Ltd—a creative hub in the heart of Paisley.

Through my textile art, patterns, and workshops, I help people rediscover the mindful joy of slow stitching and reconnect with their creativity.

At WHAT IF, I support creatives not only by providing a welcoming space to showcase and share their work, but also by offering down-to-earth business coaching—cutting through the jargon and helping them build systems that actually work for their creative lives.”

Like so many creatives, I started creating when I was young enough not to care what others thought of my creations, to get lost for hours in the sheer act of creativity and to believe that I could be anything I wanted.

I can't say that one moment sparked my creative journey. It was more like a trail of breadcrumbs highlighting the error of my ways in taking the "approved and socially acceptable path". I would burn out every so often, and eventually more and more often, and each time I would return to my happy place. I would create and stitch embroidery patterns. I would slow down, breathe, and connect with that little girl who believed.

It's funny how the seasons of your life evolve and you come back to that space where you don't give a flying fig what others think and listen more to your intuition and your true self. When I reached that space, that's when my creative journey truly took off.

On thinking about what I'd like my art to accomplish in the world. There are a number of things.

Through my Embroidery and Textile Art I'd like to encourage people to realise the healing benefits of slowstitching. It's mirroring life, taking one stitch at a time and focussing on the here and now.

I'd like my creative journey to inspire artists and makers to embrace their creative gifts and realise their highest potential.

I'd also like them to learn from my mistakes - to listen to life's whispers and stay on that creative path. That is where the heart of their life lies.

My art is full of texture. I work a lot with blended threads creating a mix of colours that bring the piece to life. I love to mix the softness of watercolours with the fragility and strength of threads. My pieces are multi dimensional and while the colours may be somewhat muted, there is always a pop of something. My art covers opposing ends of the spectrum; it evokes mindfulness and calm at one end. And at the other embraces the rebellious streak of calling out the opposition to different, one of my favourite pieces being “Perfectionism is a serial killer”.

My art serves those in need of a little calm, of slowing things down and those who want to promote their belief and support of different.

I'm hoping creative folk can find their way to me and join in this wonderful journey.

Catherine