The Art of Finding Art

I recently got to meet an old friend Paul Stafford, hairdresser to the rich and famous.

Paul is highly charismatic and has a unique personal style which I believe are the reasons many esteemed artists are queuing up to paint him.

Currently a glorious painting of him sits in a prominent position in the Royal Ulster Academy Exhibition at the Ulster Museum.

It is painted by none other than Colin Davidson, simply the portrait artist of Northen Ireland. This piece does not only show the likeness but captures the man behind the image.

I asked Paul why so many artists want to paint him, he said, “I think it’s because my appearance and how I present myself is so visual and the artists might want to paint what is beneath the image.”

Paul went on to say that he believed Colin did that very well and in describing the painting he said, “it wasn’t somebody I know as a representation of me but I recognise that expression and I recognise that man and it’s a recognition that only my true friends and family see regularly, so it was an exposing aspect.” Paul went on to say that while siting for the painting, despite being aware that he was being observed, it was very calming and an almost therapeutic experience.

He talked with Colin over the few hours about the things they have shared, their families and their lives and how they have grown up and there was a reflective part of it.

Paul then said that he believed at that point Colin thought “right I’ve got him.” Colin truly did capture the moment. The painting speaks for itself and it on display until the first week in January.

Paul took me on a tour of his salon on the Lisburn Road, Belfast which is also a gallery for artist Nicky Gordon. Nicky had worked with Paul as a hairdresser and during lockdown Nicky had started to evolve her artwork, and the opportunity came for Nicky to show her work in Paul’s salon.

I am really inspired by art in unusual places, so I was very excited to see Nicky’s work. Nicky’s art is a vibrant, abstract reflection of the city of Belfast, the music scene, and the people she connects with. Inspired by music, the energy of a crowd dancing or a music festival her work captures the collective movement, sounds, and visuals of energy. You can feel that energy with the fluid motion and vibrant use of colour. Nicky’s work is intelligent, beautifully executed and alive with energy and motion.

I finally got to meet my inspiration for my own personal art journey, artist Stephanie Noble. I saw a large, bold, beautiful painting by Stephanie in 2024 at the RUA in the Ulster Museum. Standing in front of this large-scale painting at the exhibition, I felt deeply connected to her work.

Stephanie has a unique ability. She can take a simple, everyday scene of hedges and a river and elevate it through meticulous detail forcing the viewer to pause. In all of Stephaine’s work she can capture the beauty of the everyday moments we so often take for granted.

Indeed, Stephaine is drawn to ‘landscapes that exist outside traditional ideas of beauty, overlooked spaces, quiet edges, and environments altered by human presence.’

Stephanies works have been selected for the Royal Academy in London, the RHA in Dublin and the RUA in Belfast Exhibitions. In 2021 she won the ‘Peoples Choice’ award at the RUA and she is also a member of the Ulster Society of Women Artists.

Stephanie currently has an Exhibition of her work from her residency in the Netherlands running until 15th November in the Creative Exchange, Newtownards road, Belfast.