Paul Cato is a New Zealander, born in Auckland in 1959. Sketching and print-making became a serious pastime in his formative years but the major impetus to really begin painting was after viewing a John Constable (1776-1737, English) exhibition at age twelve. During the next several years he painted prolifically, without tuition, both plein air and in an attic studio.

Then for several years Paul Cato applied his artistic flair to commercial and graphic applications in the printing trade and also running a successful sign and display company. The next decade was a transitional phase as Paul experimented with watercolour before returning to oils, this time with increased sensitivity, some finer brushwork and more subtle use of colour. A primary catalyst for this was the study of several North American artists, the first being Thomas Moran, followed by Frederick Church, Albert Bierstadt and those known as the "Hudson River School."

With this fresh approach, coupled with a move to be nearer to the subject of most of his paintings, Paul Cato began painting full-time in Queenstown from the late 1990's.

Since then, Paul Cato's consistent production of high-quality and impressive paintings has paid off with a sound history of sales and a growing following of clients around the world. Over time he has tended to paint larger canvases and this is now his preference.