Dim imgPictures(8) As Image
imgPictures(0) = Image.FromFile(My.Resources.cat_1.ToString)

Dim img = My.Resources.NameOfTheImage

Dim imgPictures(8) As Image
imgPictures(0) = My.Resources.NameOfImage1
imgPictures(1) = My.Resources.NameOfImage2
...

Dim imgPictures(8) As Image
imgPictures(0) = Bitmap.FromFile( <filename1> )
imgPictures(1) = Bitmap.FromFile( <filename2> )
...