An avid painter for over 25 years, Eileen’s style is ‘contemporary realist’ and is she known for her oil paintings of still life and landscapes. “I strive to create paintings that are interesting, unpredictable, with narrative content, and… able to catch my viewer’s attention for much longer than the average 30 seconds. I love light and shadow patterns and creating realistic 3D form and depth on a 2D surface with the use of value changes and drawing skills. In my still life work I incorporate simple, recognizable, common objects. The objects are chosen for their narrative possibilities as well as their abstract elements of value, size variation, and colors. A strong light source is used to develop drama and direct the eye to a focal point. In both my still life and landscape work I prefer to work directly from life. Composition and light are primary considerations along with creating depth and atmosphere. I have total control in my still lives, no change of light or movement occurs and I create a scene much like a stage director. Landscape work is just the opposite, changing light and weather while calling on all the painting skills I have often feels like taking a final exam with time running out. The lack of control is balanced by the joy in spending several hours in an outdoor location observing with all my senses which gives me a wonderful sense of gratitude for nature. “Eileen has an MFA from New York Academy of Art and has studied at the NY Studio School, Rhode Island School of Design, JSS in Civita, Italy, and with numerous professional artists. Eileen shares her knowledge through teaching and has a large following of students. She is currently teaching at the Lyme Art Association in Old Lyme, CT. Memberships:Oil Painters of AmericaAmerican Impressionist SocietyElected member of Salmagundi ClubSignature member of Hudson Valley Art AssociationSignature member of CT Academy of Fine ArtsElected Artist of Lyme Art Association A frequent award winner, Eileen exhibits in juried shows locally and nationally. Eileen’s paintings have been featured in multiple publications including The Artists Magazine, American Art Collector, Fine Art Connoisseur and Plein Air Magazine. Recent Awards: Best Plein Air, Plein Air Salon, March 2024Van Gogh Still Life Award, Madison Art Society 49th Annual Exhibit, 2024Best in Show, Madison Art Society, 48th Annual Juried ExhibitFirst Place Still Life, Hudson Valley Art Association 90th Annual Juried Exhibition, 2023, The Jane Peterson Memorial AwardWayne 15th Annual Plein Air Festival, 2023, Rosemary & Co AwardWayne 14th Annual Plein Air Festival, 2022, Rosemary & Co AwardBest in Show, Madison Art Society, 2022 Third Place, Salmagundi Club, En Plein Air Exhibit 2022Second Place, Lyme Art Association, Elected Artist Exhibit, 2021Second Place, New Haven Paint & Clay, 120th Annual Juried Art Exhibition 2021First Prize, Guilford Art League’s 70th Annual Juried Show