Today we’d like to introduce you to Eileen McKeon Butt.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
After a successful early career in Marketing, I found myself at home with two small children and a desire to do everything differently going forward. I had studied art briefly in college but had never been bold enough to make it my career. Now was the time for me to raise my kids in a creative environment, and follow the path I had always dreamed of. I started teaching my children about drawing and painting and brought in their friends for informal art classes. Soon afterward, I joined a school-sponsored PTA arts enrichment group, where we studied and shared works from famous artists with every child in the school. In the midst of this, I was studying art during the day, and building up my portfolio and skills.
Since then, I’ve been privileged to share my artwork in shows and public art, published works, through teaching, and in my online shops. I am constantly inspired to learn new techniques and have tried to share my love and enthusiasm for the creative life with as many people as possible.
Please tell us about your art.
My artwork is influenced by many things, among them that I come from a very international family: we are a blend of European, Asian and American cultures, and many of the motifs and values of this melange find their way into my work. Nature and science are also strong influences, and I like to merge my fascination with the natural world and what we know about it with my love of painting and abstract art to produce bold works that are new to the art world.
I am fascinated by the connections between the smallest elements of the universe and the largest; from subatomic particles to galactic clusters, I see the beauty of the universe unfold within a matrix of fascinating rules that we are still learning about, and which govern everything.
I hope that viewers will see new worlds in my artwork, and also experience the flow of energy from Nature that can energize and uplift us all through art.
What do you think about the conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
In some ways, it’s easier these days for artists to gain publicity than it has ever been before. Almost anyone can gain access to a basic website, or post their work on social media and find followers all over the globe, which is a truly wonderful thing! Unfortunately, it’s also really easy to get lost in all the noise, and as we all know, “likes” do not always equal “sales.” The artist needs some help, and the days of the art dealer/promoter are pretty much over.
Cities like Austin and Dallas can really help artists by continuing to sponsor art shows in public buildings like City Hall or libraries, but also by actively promoting smaller events like artist talks, live demos, and by offering opportunities for artists to produce artwork specifically for the City, such as sculptures or murals.
The culture of a city still relies on formal venues like museums and concert halls, but many people who have an interest in art are uncomfortable going to events and exhibitions if they are novices. I’ve actually heard people say that they avoid art because they think they need to have a certain level of expertise before attending a museum event. So, encouraging more informal interactions between the public and artists not only enhances the cultural life of the city but also creates a growing audience for more established artistic venues. Art is for all of us!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I love sharing my work with the public and hearing what people think! I’d love to see you at one of my shows, but you can also share your thoughts and feedback on my website.
For anyone in the Austin area in May, I’ll be at the West Austin Studio Tour along with seven other exciting artists at 2311 Ridgeview Drive, Austin, TX 78704 on May 11-12 and 18-19 from 11:00-6:00. We’ll have paintings, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, and more, plus snacks and drinks. Come see us–everyone is welcome!
https://goo.gl/maps/kYGj7E49R7m
In June, I’ll be part of a wonderful art show in Houston, with 14% of all sales benefiting the charity, Music Doing Good. The show will be held at the beautiful Mixed Emotions Fine Art gallery on June 1st, from 1:00-8: 30 pm at 95 Tuam Street Houston, TX 77006. We’ll have a food truck along with beverages, so come and enjoy–the show is open to the public.
https://goo.gl/maps/J1eao5BtWW12
You can also see my artwork on my website, along with links to my two online clothing and accessories shops at:
https://eileenmckeonbutt.com/home.html
Contact Info:
- Address: P. O. Box 202482
Austin, TX 78720 - Website: https://eileenmckeonbutt.com/home.html
- Phone: 5125713762
- Email: eileen@eileenmckeonbutt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eileensmb/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sciencesart
- Other: https://www.zazzle.com/science_is_art?rf+238311757396075724
Image Credit:
Farooq M. Butt
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
