The film tells us the true story of eccentric British artist Louis Wain, whose playful, sometimes even psychedelic pictures helped to transform the public's perception of cats forever. In 1881, after his father's death, Louis supports his five sisters and mother as a part-time illustrator for The Illustrated London News under editor Sir William Ingram. He declines a full-time job to try composing music and playwriting; neither venture is successful.