James Dean
and Pete the Cat
A Star is Born!
James Dean was born in Ft Payne, Alabama. He watched his father do paintings growing up. He decided to go to Auburn University to persue engineering, but he watched the art students and wished he could do something like that. After working for Georgia Power for several years, he left to draw landscapes. One day he decided to adopt a cat from the local shelter. That day he brought a scrawny black cat home and named him Pete. Pete became the inspiration for many paintings. Dean would paint Pete doing normal cat things. However, Dean didn't want to paint Pete black, because some people might be too supersticious. He decided to use blue. As his collection of paintings grew, he developed the idea to bring Pete's adventures to life in books. Pete is the star of many books that bring joy to children and adults.
Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses!