KATHLEEN STAFFORD: Dignitary, Wife and Artist

Kathleen Stafford: Dignitary, Wife and Artist


Travelling from Iran to Italy, Tunisia to Tennessee is part of Kathleen Stafford’s role as the wife of the consulate general of America. Nevertheless, she is not just another ‘ex-pat’ following her husband worldwide, she is a hard working artist that takes inspiration from her travels and turns them into unique works of art.
The world is her muse and at the stroke of a brush she translates a manic marketplace into an inviting array of colours and expressions, with the use of water colours and an interesting technique called collography. The paintings burst through the surface as she depicts the beauty of the world with more than colours, you can run your fingers over the paintings and feel the embellishment of the young girl’s native materials, the texture of the chief’s skin, the life that is captured in the image.


COLLOGRAPHING

Collograph is a printing technique in which the artist adds materials to a rigid background such as wood or cardboard. The resulting design is built up like a collage, creating a relief. The design is then inked and printed on paper. In the most basic form it embosses the artwork, but one can create a variety of textures. Collographing is cheaper than printing, all you need is cardboard and you do not need any acid, just glue, acrylic and paint. “The process is what I love most,” Kathleen explains. “I take pictures then I print them in black and white so I just fixate on the expressions of the person and not distracted by the abundance of colours. When I add my own colours to the paintings I feel I’m bringing it to life” she says.

Kathleen has always been surrounded by creativity, her grandfather was an artist and inventor but she does not believe she has a ‘talent’. With her blond hair bouncing and a bubbly personality to match, she humbly says, “I don’t think I was born with an exceptional talent, most people at the peak of their career work hard towards it. Everyone from Beckham to Picasso, all dedicated hundreds of hours towards their passion. I was lucky to realise my passion early and work hard at it as that’s the true key to success.” She majored in water colour at the University of Tennessee before heading to Italy, where she mastered drawing the human figure. Kathleen is not only an avid artist, but devoted wife too. How many women do you know have children away from family and friends, learn Arabic, Italian, and live in war-torn countries like Ivory Coast? This has been Kathleen’s life for over 20 years.


TWO DECADES IN AFRICA

Kathleen’s premier experience of Africa was Tunisia in the 80’s. Her green eyes light up as she reminisces and says, “Cairo was our next destination. I was very busy with work and it was an incredibly productive time. I painted everything from landscapes of the city to portraits of the locals. Cairo may possibly be my favourite destination because of the memories I carry, I gave birth to my son David there.” There was no violence and she was free to mingle with the locals and take pictures of them in their natural state; not posing. “I try to remain observant and I am forever amazed and charmed by the beauty in Africa. At first the locals object to a foreigner taking their picture but I usually give them a copy and they are at ease.”

Her husband was posted to Ivory Coast and there she lived trying to learn French, raise a son, run an art business as well as contribute to her dignitary duties. “I was in Ivory Coast during the 9/11 occurrence and had to be evacuated for safety reasons. I stayed in America and that’s when I started working on my collograph collection called, ‘African Icons’” she says proudly. Returning to Abidjan in 2003, life was relaxed; security was tight, miniscule amount of crime and according to Kathleen, “it was common to see cannon tanks patrolling the streets. However, recently it has become incredibly tense; everyone was worried about the impending war. It’s hard living life in constant fear and it was a relief to leave.”


LIFE IN LAGOS

In August 2010, Kathleen and her husband arrived in Lagos. “Lagos is like no other city in Africa, everyone is extremely friendly and there is more of an arts community here than any other I’ve lived in” she says with a firm nod. Within a few months Kathleen has discovered and infiltrated the art aficionados in Lagos. Rubbing her hands with excitement, she says, “I have met wonderful people like Nike Okundaye, owner of Nike’s Centre for Art and Culture where I will be exhibiting my works and Prince Yemisi Shyllon who has offered me the opportunity to teach at a complimentary workshop at the University of Lagos.” This whirlwind lifestyle may seem lonesome to most but to Kathleen her natural free-spirit embraces it. She delves into her work to overcome any burdens that may arise; besides her perky personality allows her to make friends easily. “My life is very different, I am almost sixty and I have never lived in one place for more than 5 years. At times, it gets difficult especially being away from family in America and for my son as he has never had one consistent group of friends; as soon as he makes friends, we move country.” In Lagos, Kathleen makes friends at the American Women’s Club (AWC) where the motto is ‘bloom where you are planted.’ The AWC supports a variety of charities, raises money and distributes it to support the community which is of great importance to Kathleen. Art is more than just capturing expressions and painting scenery, she believes it’s a reflection of hard work and enriching others either through the appreciation of beauty or teaching students, thus enabling them to develop their skill. She is reaching out to her surrounding community; wherever she is planted, she blooms.


FINAL FOUR

1) What is your most treasured memory?

I remember my husband sitting on the side of the bed 24 hours after our son was born, holding him and saying he has his ears.

2) Describe a moment in time when you put everything on the line to bet on yourself.

Once in Iran I was climbing the wrong side of a shale mountain, which was crumbling and very dangerous. I knew I had to survive; I focused and forced myself to keep going, stay positive and not think about failure or death. If ever I encounter a difficult situation, I draw on that moment and use it to overcome any hurdles....wait, did I actually answer the question? (giggles)

3) If you had the chance to have dinner with any two people, dead or living who would they be and why?

I would love to meet my favourite artists Picasso and Matisse during their last sets of paintings and listen to their conversation. The pair used to have arguments with each other but rather retaliate with words they would respond with a painting. A picture is worth a thousand words.

4) What 3 things are you most thankful for?

My husband, my son and I am lucky that I’m happy most of the time. I have a fortunate lifestyle all of which I’m thankful for.