Eileen Rockwell: An Abundance of Creativity
Amherst artist, Eileen Rockwell is one of Vermilion Arts Guild’s most diverse talent. During 2020, Eileen poured on the creativity. It seemed like everyday produced a different work in watercolor or acrylic. Eileen has experimented with color and abstracts as well. Get to know her better here and then come into the Vermilion Arts Guild Gallery to see her work for yourself.
What is your medium? Painting, mostly in watercolors, also dabble in acrylic and oils. I also make jewelry with vintage silverware creating one of kind pieces using beads and charms
Did you choose your medium or did it choose you? I always been interested in art of any kind of form. Drawing seemed to be what I was most interested at first and then adding colors to it
Who or what inspired you create art? No one. it just seemed natural to me.
At what age did you start creating art? I think I was about five or six years of age.
Is this a hobby, a passion or a pursuit? It could be all but I would say at first it was a passion. Along the way, it turned into a pursuit, which turned into a hobby. I need to create to make something or fix something.
What is your favorite part of creating your art? Is it the planning, the anticipation of what might be or the process. Its probably the beginning, when I start thinking about what I to paint. Once I get past that my creative juices take over.
Who is your favorite artist, famed or not, and why? I cannot name any because each artist offers something entirely different to me.
Is there any frustration in your art form? Where do you look for answers? Yes, there’s frustration. I mull things over many times. Sometimes before I go to sleep I think about what I am painting and figuring out what I must do next.
What do you do to prepare yourself for creating art? Nothing I can think of. Just thinking about what I would like the end result to be.
If you weren't creating art, what would you be doing? Terrible questions and an equally terrible answer. I would be six feet under.
Do you have another job outside of your art? Is so, what do you do? If you're retired, what did you do for a living and for how long? For 25 plus years, I made dental crowns, casting gold crowns and custom dentures. Everything started by sculpturing with wax. At that time everything was made by hand, not computer generated like today. I like working with my hands
Can you identify the biggest benefit of being a member of the Arts Guild? Meeting fellow artists and new people.
What do you think someone would like to know about you as it relates to your art?: I love to talk about art and answer questions.
Can you share any funny or memorable stories about your art? Can you relate a story about how it might have touched or impacted someone? In the early 1980's a lady came to our house to give us an estimate on something. We ended up talking about art. She gave me a call a few days later and wanted more information about art and how to start. We have been friends ever since and she is an accomplished artist today in many mediums.
Best moment ever as it relates to your art. I sold a framed painting in the first art show I ever entered. I always thought my husband bought it, thinking it would make me feel good as I was very nervous about entering. He did not buy it.
Out of everything you've ever created, do you have a favorite? Yes and its hanging on my wall in our living room.