MEET THE ARTIST

Kathryn E. STUART

My name is Kathryn Eckhoff-Stuart. I am a step-mom to 5 children and Nana to 6 grandchildren. I have two girls of my own. I was born in Palmer, Alaska. I lived in Ft. Wayne, IN for 11 years of my childhood. During the 80’s I earned my Bachelor’s (Psychology) at Concordia College in St Paul, MN. Otherwise, Anchorage, Alaska was my home until July of 2013.

In 2008 my first husband died. He had two adult children at the time we were married. He was from a large family in Missouri with whom we continue to keep in close touch. When he died, my girls and I continued to live in Anchorage for five more years. I then married my second husband, Duncan (also widowed), who lived in Michigan. My girls and I moved to Michigan in July of 2013 when the girls were 15 and 18. Duncan and I, together with his three children and my two children became a family of seven, plus daughters-in-law, new additions of family and friends, for all of us. It has been an amazing journey full of joy but not without challenge. Duncan and I continue to live in Michigan, even as we see our five children moving to other parts of the country, this is home.

As early as I can remember, coloring has been a favorite activity. As a child, during times of stress or challenge I doodled, spent time coloring, or practiced writing the alphabet. As an adult, I found coloring to be a respite from a myriad of stressors. All of these activities continue to be a source of relaxation. When my children were young, I colored with them. As they grew, I would design our Christmas cards and they would color them with their friends.

In August 2017, while my husband and were hanging out, I doodled out the alphabet. Upon showing Duncan my sketching he said, “You should get that published.”  

And so began the creation of my first coloring book: Next Time Won’t You Color With Me?