Eileen is a transplanted Californian, living in Salt Lake City since 1976. She attended Pasadena City College, California (AA degree), then the University of Utah (BFA in Fine Arts). Married with two grown children, Eileen spent her early professional career as a Graphic Designer, then earned a degree in Education, teaching in the Salt Lake Public schools for 27 years, the last ten as an art teacher. Recently retired, Eileen now enjoys spending time painting, reading, and hiking — usually combining those activities on trips with her husband and dog to locations in the West.
Artist Statement
I enjoy everything about being outdoors– the sounds, smells, colors and rapidly changing light. “En plein air” “ is a French expression which means “in the open air”, and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Plein air painting challenges the artist to capture immediate impressions of what the eye sees. This is the creative process that inspires and motivates me to get out and paint as often as possible! Wherever I find myself set up with paints and canvas, in my home studio or outdoors, my goal is to use fresh brushwork and expressive color to create a painterly translation of the subject before me. As Edgar Degas put it, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”
2020 Shows/Events
Art and Soup, Salt Lake City, March 25-27 https://www.cns-cares.org/art-and-soup
St. George Art Festival, April 10-11, https://www.sgartfestival.com
PACE 2020, Denver, CO May 3-6, https://pleinairconvention.com
Art Access 300 Plates Fundraiser, Salt Lake City, May, https://accessart.org/support-us/300-plates-fundraiser
Eagle Plein Air, ID, June 7-13, https://www.eaglepleinair.com
Heritage Days Art Squared Fundraiser, May 23, UT, https://friendsofhistoricspringcity.org
Wasatch Plein Air Paradise, June 25-July 4, UT, http://www.midwayartassociation.org
Spring City Plein Air, UT August 31- Sept. 5, https://springcityarts.com
Awards (2014-2019)
Escalante Plein Air 2019, 3rd Place in “Paint the Town”
Winner of Top 15% Bold Brush Favorites, May, 2018
Spring City Plein Air, Merit Award, Spring City, Utah – 2107
Driggs Plein Air 2017, 1st Place and Artist Choice Award, Driggs, Idaho – 2017
St. George Art Festival Purchase Award, April 2017
Plein Air Paradise, Honorable Mention – Midway, Utah, July 2015
Driggs Plein Air Competition, 2nd place – Driggs, Idaho – August, 2014
Plein Air Paradise, Honorable Mention – Midway, Utah – July, 2014
