Cathy Pavia was born in Cleveland and received her BFA degree at the Cleveland institute of Art. After moving to Los Angeles she began her career as a free-lance illustrator specializing in watercolor. Some of her clients included the Los Angeles Times, Psychology Today, Marvel Entertainment, Doubleday, the Hearst Corporation, Harcourt Brace, and 20th Century Fox.

Returning to school, Cathy received her MFA degree at California State University at Fullerton. She continued to free-lance as well as becoming a lecturer at Long Beach State University, CSUF, Harbor College, Santa Ana College, and Orange County High School of the Arts.

After 40 years in California, Cathy and her husband Rob, an art director and photographer, moved back to Ohio. They enjoy living in the woods near Chagrin Falls where they each love exploring new areas of creativity.