My mother said to me, "If you are a soldier, you will become a general. If you are a monk, you will become the Pope." Instead, I was a painter, and became Picasso."
—pablo picasso

GiGi Stateham

GiGi Stateham

Marilyn "Gi-Gi" Crawford Stateham, resident of Cottonwood, Arizona died in her home on June 18, 2010 after a lengthy battle with bone cancer. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 4, 1935. At age nine her family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana and resided there until 1967. Gi-Gi attended Metairie Park County day school and SMU. Her artistic career began at the Times Picayune art department followed by employment at Krauss, D.H. Holmes and Godchaux's. She met her late husband Joe in New Orleans and married in 1969, and shortly afterwards moved to Arizona. Gi-Gi was a member of of the Northern Arizona Water Color Society and the El Valle Art Association. Her prolific forty year career included works in oil, water color, and pastels and was a dedicated teacher and mentor to young artists. She received numerous awards and her works were recognized nationally.

Growing up in New Orleans, Gigi Stateham was fascinated by the work of sidewalk artists on Jackson Square. She studied their techniques adding to her knowledge, experimenting to find her own style. She received her formal education at Newcomb College, New Orleans; Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas and the Universidad de Mexico, Mexico City. She began her career in commercial art as an illustrator for Maison Blanche and Godchaux in New Orleans. Gigi and her husband, Joe Stateham, traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe. They lived in Santa Fe, N.M. for six years where Gigi became an active member of Artists Equity, serving on the Board of: Directors. In 1984 they designed and built their home and studio on the Verde River near Cottonwood. This area continually inspired her paintings which included landscapes and still life, as well as portraits and wildlife.

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Gigi was the gallery's first water color artist and had many clients throughout the country. Although she has passed away, there are some works available through her estate. For information contact the gallery.