Author an authority on English cat artist Wain

Latest book follows up on 1982 biography

Heather Latimer's books about English artist Louis Wain are becoming the cat's meow for collectors.

Latimer has traveled to many parts of the world as an encyclopedia spokeswoman, and now has gone to great lengths to find information about Wain. Her most recent book, her 12th, is titled "The English Cat Artist."

"I used to be on television," Latimer said. "I married a doctor, and he didn't want his wife traveling all over the country."

Instead of becoming a woman of leisure, Latimer decided to hone her writing skills. She attended the University of Iowa and eventually wrote for national magazines.

"I've been writing ever since," she said. "I did publicity for magazines, and when my husband died, I had a lot more time to write. I have since written a book every two years. Louis Wain was a celebrated artist who drew cats in Edwardian times, from around 1860-1939. I am the leading authority on Louis Wain in the United States."

An Englander herself, Latimer had searched for information for her original 1982 biography of Wain, titled, "Louis Wain-King of the Cat Artists: 1890-1939." Because people had seemingly forgotten about Wain, Latimer said it was difficult finding information about him. The book caused a renewed interest in the artist after it was released.

"I've constantly researched (Wain)," Latimer said. "I've tried to glean as much information about him as possible. He was very popular before World War II, but then everybody's mind was on the war, and people sort of forgot about him. When that book came out in the '80s, galleries put their pictures up and people searched through their attics. There was a ridiculous rise in price for the photos when people found them, and it was all as a result of my book. Through the years I was always on the lookout for more information. He was a postcard artist also, and there are certain areas where he's very collectible."

The search for even more information and photos of Wain's were easier to find for her next book.

"It takes research to write a book like this one," Latimer said. "It has to be authentic. The book costs $48 but the pictures in it cost $10,000 to buy the rights. There are pictures in there that people have not seen because they are in private collections, and they are valued at thousands of dollars. There are over 800 cats in those pictures, so people who love cats should love this book."

Although her first book about Wain does not offer as many photos as her current book, it is selling on the Internet for up to $800. Latimer believes this book will be even more valuable than the other one because of the unseen photos. She said they key to writing an information-intensive book such as "The English Cat Artist" is to never stop until you get where you want to go.

"You have to love it," said Latimer, an eight-year resident of Sun City Summerlin. "You have to care about it, and never stop until you get where you want to go. I persevere, I've been doing that my whole life and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon."

Latimer's book is available at Borders and at www.booksbyletterbox.com.


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