Jean Cate (b. 1990 in Pasadena, CA) is an artist, living and working in Chicago. She received her BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago with focuses in painting, drawing, printmaking, and ceramics. Cate also studied papermaking, philosophy, and performance at Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists' Residency in Saugatuck, MI.

Cate creates evocative paintings and drawings exploring the theme of atmosphere. Her works draw inspiration from the ever-changing and dramatic forces of nature. Utilizing watercolor, pastel, ink, and salt on raw birch wood panel, Cate engages with these mediums in a dance-like manner, relinquishing the illusion of control and allowing natural forces like water, air, and gravity to shape the artwork. When not working in abstract form, Cate draws quiet, still portraits of flora and fauna. 

Cate’s work has been featured in hotel projects by Marriott, print publications: Cereal, Monocle, Wallpaper* and the Steve McQueen film Widows.