Two for the Cranbrook Exhibition

"The Discovery"

60cm x 60cm

"The Space Between"

70cm x 70cm

Some more figuratives

I am being pulled to do more and more figurative oils. I am happy with these but be watching for a looser technique soon.

"Toss a Stone, Make a Wish"

8" x 10"

Loved the gesture as she tossed a pebble into the water.

"Free Range in the Snow"

8" x 10"
SOLD

The unlikely scene draws me. Especially when it is unexpected and with no trickery. Chickens walking over a bridge in the dead of winter. Of course. The deep shadows of a lower winter sun helped to show off not only the chickens but more importantly, their shadows.

"Pondering at a Fire Gone Cold"

8" x 10"

So 'everyday different' was this scene. Cold. Crisp. Quiet. Again the long shadows of the winter sun.

"Huddling in the Barn"

8" x 10"
SOLD

Traditional Work

These works done in oil have me further exploring complementary pallets for a more alive feeling.

Exploring the Winter Beach

8" x 10"
SOLD

Alpaca Next Door

10" x 8"

Old Mare

16" x 20"

Tail in the Sunlight

10" x 8"
NFS

Millie

8" x 10"
SOLD

Millie and Wobbly

8" x 10"
SOLD

Abstracts in England

I have been in the UK about a year. My artwork continues to call me in two directions. This direction is my non-objective abstracts. I am enjoying the additional mark-making aspect of these paintings.

Icy Hot

27" x 59"

Dyed in the Wool

About 40 x 40

Orange Dab

About 30 x 30

Red with Lilac

About 40 x 40

Grand Opening of "Pop Revolution" Gallery

Well it has finally been done. Over the ears I have had many people ask if I have ever considered hanging my work from the ceiling. Pop Revolution finally did it. Their grand opening is JNovember 8, 4-8pm These picture start to give you the idea but this is before they installed the uplights and put the bean bags in place. It should be a fun experience so come on down.
Gallery 42 is right next door and is havin an opening at the same time so you get 2 for the effort of 1.

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!