Berks County Artist Jessica Merges Cat Art & Rescue Work in PA
Published On: 10/13/2025
Last Updated On: 10/13/2025
By Callie, Seymour, Yebba, and Mama and our Hooman Ashley!
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An orange cat backpacking on a beautiful sunny day - A piece of cat art for sale on Facebook Marketplace
Some Hoomans rescue cats. Some Hoomans make art.
And then there’s Jessica — who somehow does both while raising a one-year-old, running a five-star art business, and volunteering with Berks Community Cats.
When our newsroom stumbled upon her whimsical cat prints on Facebook Marketplace, we knew this wasn’t just another seller with pretty frames. This was a story about heart-led hustle, creative evolution, and community care — all rolled into one paint-splattered, cat-haired masterpiece.
From Jitterbugs Signs to Cat Prints With Purrsonality
Jessica’s journey didn’t start with digital art or AI tools — it started with sawdust.
“Before this,” she told us, “I used to hand-paint all of my pieces and ran a small business called Jitterbugs Signs, where I created custom wood signs entirely by hand — cutting, sanding, and painting each one myself.”
But when she welcomed her baby just over a year ago, the long hours of sanding and painting by hand became impossible. Still, the creative spark refused to fade.
Instead of giving up, she evolved.
“I’m constantly dreaming up new print ideas,” Jessica said. “With the help of AI, I can bring those visions to life within minutes. I then hand-paint and custom finish all of the frames by hand.”
So yes — every one of those gorgeous Marketplace pieces is part-AI dream, part-handcrafted human love.
That’s what we call art with a heartbeat.
Inspiration in Every Brushstroke
stray cat news berks community cats volunteer Jessica artwork
YEBBA (chief nap critic):
Jessica’s cat-themed pieces aren’t just cute — they’re soulful, quirky, and bursting with personality.
She says the inspiration comes straight from her love for cats and “all things quirky.” Some of her favorite works are miniature art pieces made from materials found in nature.
“They hold a special place in my heart,” she told us. “They remind me that creativity doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs to be real.”
It’s that authenticity that’s earned Jessica over 500 five-star Marketplace reviews — a rare feat that even Seymour couldn’t achieve with his “limited-edition crumb sculptures.”
How to Support Jessica’s Art
If you’d like to own one of Jessica’s beautiful cat prints — or support a local creative mom who pours her heart into every frame — the best way is simple:
👉 Head to Facebook Marketplace and look up Jessica’s listings.
She’s shipped over 500 orders nationwide, not counting local pickups, and every purchase helps her continue creating.
It’s the kind of art that feels like home — cozy, thoughtful, and unmistakably full of feline soul.
Jessica’s Work with Berks Community Cats
Funny cat smoking a cig drinking a cup of coffee
Here’s where the story takes an even more purr-found turn.
Jessica isn’t just a full-time artist and mom — she’s also part of the fundraising committee and design team at Berks Community Cats (BCC), one of the hardest-working rescue groups in Pennsylvania.
“I start my day by checking in on the chats happening with BCC,” she told us. “There are always messages to respond to and new things to design!”
As their graphic design specialist, Jessica creates everything from fundraiser flyers and adoption spotlights for long-term cats to spreadsheets and business donation letters.
She told us, “It’s the perfect creative outlet. It’s faster, fulfilling, and lets me stay connected to my artistic side. Plus, being able to use those skills to support such an incredible organization like BCC makes it even more rewarding.”
Fundraising That Saves Lives (and Melts Hearts)
You think we’re awesome? Wait till you hear Jessica talk about her rescue teammates.
“The volunteers at BCC are some of the most dedicated people I’ve ever met,” she said. “Everyone brings so much excitement and heart to every fundraiser knowing that every dollar raised goes directly to helping the cats and kittens.”
Here’s what’s coming up in their lineup of events:
🧁 Adoption Fair & Bake Sale — October 19 at Pet Supplies Plus in Shillington
🐾 Bingo Night Fundraiser — November 8
🎄 Online Christmas Auction — First week of December
You can find full details on the Berks Community Cats Facebook page (and yes, we’ll be there in spirit, batting at the auction preview images).
Behind the Screen: Jessica’s Creative Rhythm
For Jessica, no two days look the same.
Between designing for BCC, caring for her baby, and running her bustling Marketplace shop, creativity has to live wherever it fits — in the margins between naps and snack times.
“I went to school for graphic design,” she shared, “but I never really pursued it professionally. Now it’s come full circle — I get to use my design skills to help cats and reconnect with art on my own terms.”
That, friends, is the kind of balanced chaos that only a true artist (and cat mom) could pull off.
🧡 The Cats Behind the Canvas
Jessica’s household has two feline muses — one mischievous orange boy and one affectionate tuxedo girl.
“The orange cat lives up to all the stereotypes,” she laughed. “Total troublemaker. My tuxedo cat, though, is incredibly sweet and affectionate — she’s definitely my soul cat.”
When we asked what they’d say about her if they could talk, she didn’t miss a beat:
“Mom always has paint on her hands and cat hair on her clothes — that’s how we know she’s been working hard!”
That’s a family motto we can get behind.
Funny cat artwork from Jessica on Facebook Marketplace
Dreaming in Dark Academia
When we asked about her “dream project,” Jessica described a scene so magical we almost purred ourselves to sleep:
“I’d create a large, hand-painted, vintage-style mixed-media piece centered around an old library with a dark academia feel — ferns, ivy, marble statues, and dozens of tipped-ear cats lounging among mossy bookshelves.”
She’d frame it in a distressed wooden arch, tucking in real dried flowers to add a sense of timelessness.
It’s not just art — it’s world-building. And if she ever makes it, we’ll be first in line for the print.
Why Stories Like Jessica’s Matter
For every cat rescued, there’s a human behind the scenes making it happen.
Jessica’s story reminds us that creativity and compassion aren’t separate pursuits — they’re different shades of the same color.
Her work with Berks Community Cats shows how art can amplify awareness, and her five-star Marketplace business proves that when you lead with love, the universe (and Facebook reviews) responds in kind.
Jessica’s story isn’t just about art or cats — it’s about finding your place in the world by giving pieces of your heart away.
She paints. She parents. She helps cats find homes.
And somehow, she still remembers to breathe.
In a world that can feel loud and disconnected, she reminds us that creativity and kindness are two paws of the same heartbeat.
So here’s to Jessica — the artist, the rescuer, the dreamer — and to every human out there blending passion with purpose, one pawprint at a time.
🐾 Coming tomorrow on Stray Cat News
🎃 Upcoming October Cat Events in Pennsylvania!
Hold onto your tails, friends — we’ve got a purr-fectly spooky event to share! 👻
Sunday, October 19th from 11 AM–5 PM, our friends at Berks Community Cats are hosting their Halloween Adoption Fair & Treat Sale at Pet Supplies Plus in Shillington, PA.
It’s not just an adoption event — it’s a holiday kitten party of epic proportions.
Expect cats. Kittens. More kittens. Plus, homemade Halloween-themed baked goods that’ll make your whiskers twitch. 🧁🐾
