IG: @A.R.Govoni

Housecat

With my thesis work, I am addressing the issue of outdoor cats in an entertaining and eye opening story. As someone with learning disabilities, I have been interested in graphic novels as a form of educational writing for a long time. For many people who struggle with reading or maintaining focus, learning from a visual medium is much more rewarding. The inspiration for Housecat comes from my own experience as a pet owner, reflecting on how I was taught to interact with domestic animals, and comparing that to what I have learned as an adult. I grew up with three indoor-outdoor cats. They hunted hundreds of songbirds, insects, and small mammals, even though they had 24/7 access to food inside our house. Cats kill as a play behavior, and are incredibly efficient predators. They have caused the total extinction of at least 63 species of birds, reptiles, and mammals worldwide. They themselves are exposed to a countless number of dangers outdoors- cars, poison, disease, predators and many more that are not concerns indoors. With this novel, I hope to encourage cat owners to do what is best for their pets by keeping them inside.

Bio

Augustus Govoni is a Maine based illustrator who uses both traditional and digital media. He has a lifelong love for nature, mythology, history, and community. His work combines these passions with welcoming colors and a variety of subjects, ranging from people and animals to abstracted landscapes. He is interested in narrative art, and looks to inspire others to form or reform connections with the world around them. Outside of illustration, Augustus also creates usable art with fabrics, metals, and wood.