At an early age, Eileen showed an above-average skill in drawing and a fascination with color. Though the interest remained, the development of her art skills was not pursued after grade school until many decades later. When Eileen was in her mid-fifties, a dear artist friend was diagnosed with the early onslaught of dementia. In order to help her friend stay engaged, the two decided to take watercolor lessons from the local community college. Eileen discovered the dormant passion for painting and a new fascination with the flow and movement of color and tint on the paper. Though the friend too soon was unable to manage classes, Eileen continued her pursuit to develop her watercolor technique and to explore other media. Eileen took as many as she could of the continuing education art classes from the community college where she teaches. One such course was Marcelle Hook’s oil portraiture featuring the Classical Renaissance style of the Old Masters. This exacting and revered technique was a challenging counter balance to the free flowing “loose” approach of watercolors. Eileen has a compelling desire to learn the techniques to refine her art. Whether seeking to master the Classic Renaissance technique or abandoning control to the free flow of watercolors, the goal of Eileen’s art is to capture the spirit and personality of the portrait subjects and to evoke a sense of wonder when viewing still lives.
Eileen is privileged to have been a student of many fine art teachers including Betty Tyler, Susan Couch, Marcelle Hooks, and the renowned artist and master teacher Frank Covino.
Eileen’s bio
Eileen McElroy Allen was born and raised in Texas and, after marriage, transplanted in North Carolina. She and her husband Sam have a daughter, Kim, and a son, Jeff, and are the proud grandparents of five energetic grandsons and two lovely granddaughters. Eileen, a teacher all her adult life, taught English for ten years in middle and high schools and has been an instructor at a community college for over thirty-five years. In addition to family and school, Eileen is actively engaged in church and community.
