The Other Side of Me

I am painting at home some now. The cost of gas has me only going downtown 2-3 times a week. So I have started painting at home. I paint in oils and am doing more traditional works - mostly from my yard or the nearby country side. It is actually fun and something I didn't expect that I would enjoy as much as I am. So check it out and let me know what you think. Be prepared - you won't recognize me in these paintings at all.
www.traditionaleileenmcconkeyart.blogspot.com

Some Very Nice Press on the Canton Show

Taken from an article/review written by Tom Wachunas for the 'Observer-Reporter' "Canton Museum exhibits down to earth and out of this world," on the three exhibits at the Canton Museum or Art December 2007 - March, 2008. The following was written about my work….

"Canton Museum exhibits down to earth and out of this world," by Tom Wachunas

…. If da Vinci could have painted the subject matter we see in the work of Eileen McConkey, would he have invented Abstract Expressionism, or Color Field Painting?

"Looking Up: Paintings by Eileen McConkey," on view through March 23 (2008) in the museum's Education Gallery, is a show all about space - outer space. McConkey's acrylic paintings on raw canvas are based on pictures transmitted from deep space by NASA's Hubble telescope. There's a remarkable duality at work in her paintings. On one level they're successful exercises in pure abstraction. On another, they're skillful displays of spectacular, naturalistic realism.

Walking into the gallery, one could easily sense being a passenger on a space shuttle. The paintings might well be portholes through which the visual glories of the solar system are visible.

Several of her paintings here are ingenious constructions - one circle embedded in a larger, outer circle - to convey a moon against the background of a planet. All of the paintings demonstrate a deft orchestration of textures and dazzling, fluid colors that dance and pulse.

Music of the spheres indeed, while McConkey's visions are other-worldly, they are non-the-less every bit as monumental and haunting as the "Mona Lisa." These are portraits of the edge of infinity.

A Closer Look at "Back to the Earth"

These are the paintings that make up the "Back to Earth" exhibition. Come and see them at the Pendleton Art Center on Final Fridays, Second Look Saturdays, or by appointment.





"Red Hot", 37" diameter, $1250



















"Untouchable Depth", 30 X 30, $950




















"Gift of the Earth", 30 X 30, $950


















"Emerald's Root", 30 X 30, $950

"Turquoise Crown", 49" diameter, $2400

"Tiger Eye Treasures", 49" diameter, $2400

"Black is Beautiful", 37" diameter, $1250

"Blue's Soul", 37" diameter, $1250

"Peaches and Cream", 37" diameter, $1250

"Aging Gracefully", 42 X 42, $2000











"Marble Bar's Beauty", 42 X 42, $2000












"An Age Old Story", 49" Diameter, $2400


















Side 1: Schiller's Beauty, 49" diameter, 6" thick, $5300



This is a two sided piece that could be hung as a visual room divider of sorts.






Side 2: Schiller's Beauty, 49" diameter, 6" thick, $5300

Solo Exhibit at the Carnegie Center for the Visual and Performing Arts

My show opened at the Carnegie in Covington, KY on January 11th. Great crowds. Great response. The show stays up until February 18th.

For the past 7+ years most of my paintings have been inspired by deep space. This show was inspired by the wonders of rocks and minerals. I find that both the sky and the rocks can have the same sense of wonder and awe to them.

This first photo shows one side of the 2 sided 49" diameter piece that hung in the center of the room. The pieces to the left are also 49" diameter. That's me in the middle.
This second photo has my daughter Megan with 2 pieces that are 42" square.


This third photo's paintings are each 30" square.

This forth picture shows some of the 36" diameter pieces.


If you are interested in seeing pictures of any of the pieces close up just let me know and I will send them along - I will also be adding them to the blog as time goes on.

"Looking Up", My Solo Show at the Canton Museum of Art

My Show opened at the Canton Museum of Art this past November 29th. The turnout was great and the comments were overwhelmingly positive. Several Central Catholic High School classmates from my graduating class came along with family and friends and the general public. Many had never seen my work before. I think they were surprised. The show is up until March 24th, 2008.

The theme of the show was the Solar System. It had 3 different series' to it - "Celebrating the Sun", "The Pageant of the Planets", and "Lunar Stars".

Again more new works

The top one is framed. I don't often frame my work but this one really works well with a frame. I call it "Worlds Beyond". "Secret Places" is next. It is a 30" square. I have been experimenting with dragging paint in some of my more recent works netting me some really interesting effects.

Be watching for some works that show the re-influence of my pal Pollock. There is nothing like throwing paint!

More New Works

I have been very busy painting latley and not very good at getting them to my blog. here is part of my effort to catch up. Top one is 24' X 24" "Finding Diamonds". #2 "The Raven" is 18" square.

Next is "American Indian Mystery" also 18" square. At the bottom is "Arizona Horizon" 30" square. All but the last one are at my studio right now. The last one is at the Pendleton Art Gallery at newport on the Levi.

Back from showing at a couple of galleries

Both are 37" diameter. #1 title: "Back from the Edge", #2 title:" Rugged Red"

Paintings at the Contemporary Galleries

These paintings can be seen at the Contemporary Galleries Home Furnishings store on 4th Street downtown Cincinnaiti. The top 2 are 24" X 24" and the third is 30" X 30". You can see them at the store or call me and I can bring them to my studio.

ps. I am now on MySpace at www.myspace.com/eileentheaartist. Come join my list of friends

Behringer Crawford Fresh Art

September 15-16 I participated in the fundraising event for Behringer Crawford Museum called Fresh Art. In it artists take up a spot in Duvou Park in Covington Kentucky and paint outside. I found myself a nice quiet part of the park and worked on creating 4 paintings. One got done and I donated it. It was an 24" round. It went for $400. (Worth lots more of course)

I'm on YouTube!

I keep venturing out into the unknown. Check out my video on YouTube. There are things that will eventually either be corrected or replaced but for now here it is. (One of the things is the print - it is hard to read so realize that what you are seeing is a pairing of Hubble deep space photos to my work.) I hope that you enjoy.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=iV8l423Pdlk&v3

Off to the Universe that Called Them:

A tribute to the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia. 30 X 96. One of the pieces in the Health Foundation of Cincinnati's show that is opening Aug 30th.

Upcoming Show

I just delivered 12 paintings to the Health Foundation of Cincinnati. The group show is called "Fantastic Places". Really a nice facility. They have between 4-6 curated shows a year in their gallery. Show opens August 30, 2007