Stories Behind the Art...a personal, in-depth look

Title: Lovely Peonies
Medium: Collage Size: 24" x 36"

Lovely Peonies is a custom commissioned collage painting made specially for a private collector. The client, who is a floral designer herself, loves flowers of all types; but pink peonies are her very favorite! I used collage materials in a color palette to harmonize with her antique bed quilt in keeping with the historic beauty of her vintage home. Hidden within the painting are words and phrases that hold special meaning to her - including a favorite Bible verse.

Color Palette and Antique Bed Quilt
Much of my art business involves custom work either for private or corporate clients, and I thoroughly enjoy the process! It is both challenging and rewarding for me to create such personal paintings for my collectors. I often use family photos, vacation maps, personal letters, and other such collage materials in my work. Once even using a photograph of wedding dress lace - such things make the painting very special. My clients enjoy the "seek and find elements" within my work especially when created just for them. See my website for instructions on how to commission a custom painting for yourself.

Artwork installed in client's home above the iron bed
It is my hope that you enjoy reading the "Stories Behind the Art" - a column appearing periodically in my art newsletter, which will focus on the development of my artistic ideas, creative process, as well as the personal collector stories associated with custom artwork.
(Collectors' photos and stories are shared only with their permission.)

Collages in Bulgaria

My collage titled: Be Strong

August, 2010
The exhibition of collages from the 11th International Collage Exchange

The most stunning gallery. Built to surround and protect an archeological treasure, the mosaic floors of a Roman guesthouse.

They made a wonderful fuss of the collection. As you can see, they framed nearly 50 of the 125 collages, and the others are in folders where they were well looked through.

New video about my Shoe Series

Click below to see the video:
Eileen Downes...collage painter

Its All About the Shoes...Soles4Souls Benefit

Here's some photos from my exhibition at

20th Street Art Gallery
911 20th Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

http://www.20art.net

Show is up from June 9th - July 3rd, 2010

Come on by the gallery and bring a pair of new children's shoes for Soles4Souls

The Manheim Gallery Arizona

What a wonderful experience to show at The Manheim Gallery in Arizona...Here are some photos of the exhibition which runs thru the end of April...check it out.

Museum of Biblical Art Grand Opening - Dallas Texas

I was pleased to be able to attend the grand opening of the museum.

Below are a selection of photos from the Ribbon Cutting Celebration,
Friday April 2, 2010

Art in Kaiser Vallejo

Artist, Eileen Downes in front of two of her pieces

I am pleased to have my five piece series, Our Farmers' Treasures, newly installed on the first floor of the Kaiser Vallejo Hospital. I was honored to be able to attend the opening ceremony for the artists, and enjoyed talking with many of them. I'm impressed with the commitment Kaiser Permanente has for visual arts in the healing process.

All five of the pieces from Our Farmers' Treasures...see how the "blue ribbon" which is symbolic of water, flows through each piece and even out onto the mattes.

Stories Behind The Art

Harmony, installed in a collectors' home

Elaine came to me with a request and an idea for a custom collage painting made in her late husband’s memory. In her lovely home, I sat with Elaine, and over a cup of tea, as she shared charming details about Roy’s life as a musician, entertainer, teacher, and world traveler. Multi-talented, he mastered the piano, balalaika, guitar, and accordion, all of which are depicted in the collage painting. I learned that one of his favorite instruments was the balalaika, a beautiful traditional Russian stringed instrument which I had never even of heard of before. He was an artist himself, and I was a privileged viewer of his home hallway art gallery. Roy even had a special saying for which he was known in his circle of friends…a saying that just MUST be incorporated into the collage.

Inspired by a life well lived, I returned to my studio to create sketches and to begin developing the piece. As I often do, I hid words of special meaning, including Roy’s special saying, in the artwork to encourage a deeper observation by the viewer.

The piece was made specially to hang on the brick wall over the fireplace mantle. The colors were chosen to harmonize with the room. Roy’s collection of instruments are displayed on the wall and on the hearth near the artwork.

It is my hope that you enjoy learning the “Stories Behind the Art” – a new column appearing each month in my art newsletter. Collectors’ photos and stories are shared only with their permission.

New Work from the Stepping-Up Series

Artist: Eileen Downes
Title: Nattie's Red Shoes
(Stepping-Up Series)
Medium: Collage
Size: 24" x 18"

The shoes are coming soon to

20th Street Art Gallery

911 20th Street

Sacramento CA

www.20art.net