Scarlett, Canadian born, experimented with abstraction thoughout his early years as an artist, yet it was not until the 1930's and 40's that his career profoundly changed when he met Solomon R. Guggenheim and Hilla Rebay. Guggenheim and Rebay repsonded immediately to Scarlett's works and closely involved him with developing the Museum of Non-Objective Painting, later known as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Scarlett lectured at the new museum on non-objective art for years and was introduced to works by progressive artists such as Wassily Kandinsky and Rudolph Bauer. These influences transformed Scarlett into one of the most ardent supporters of modernist theories in the United States.

When Guggenheim died in 1949, Rebay became less influential and the support for non-objective art within the museum diminished. As a result, Scarlett's position became obsolete and he moved permanently to Woodstock in the late 1950's. He continued to paint, developing an abstract style that was looser, lyrical and at times satirical. Cat and Plant conveys Scarlett's later interpretations of abstract painting, creating a whimsical feeling through faceted planes, distorted figures and bold uses of color.