Eileen Pleasure - The Pleasure of Color March 27 - April 25, 2020 link
Eileen Pleasure (German-American, 20th-21st C.) Born Eileen Pleasure on the Autobahn in Germany, her early years were spent in Germany, Switzerland and France, where her father was stationed in the army. She recalls being intrigued by the painting process as a child, watching as her father, a self-taught photographer, hand painted his black and white photographs of Europe at the dining room table. Eileen has been painting for over 30 years, during which time she also worked with the developmentally disabled, retiring as a Psychologist in 2013. Her graduate degree is in Psychology (MA), and included undergraduate art classes at Plattsburgh SUNY and SUNY Buffalo. Eileen paints in an abstract style, often juxtaposing large areas of contrasting colors and textures.She has shown in Chicago, Illinois, Cleveland, Ohio, Ithaca, New York and in the Buffalo area. Her work is included in the collections of Roswell Park Cancer Institute (Scott Bieler Clinical Sciences Center), The Hotel Henry and in several private collections. Eileen’s legal name is Eileen O’Brien, but she prefers to use her maiden name in conjunction with her art career.
Statement:
So many things can take us away from awareness of ourselves, especially in these times that we live in. Painting allows me to break free from the constant onslaught of information, the duties of life, the daily routines, and allows me space to digest and reflect on individual moments in my life as opposed to experiences being quickly buried by what comes next. With a background in Psychology, my interests lie in the emotionality of life and my paintings generally serve as an abstract, visual diary. Through the solitude nature of the painting process, I am able to take a moment to quiet my mind, to take a time out, to disengage my body from its usual daily routine, i.e. paying the bills, doing the dishes, shopping at Wegmans. Painting serves as my church, my quiet place, my playground, my confessional and my boxing ring, as there are times the painting and I violently fight each other and there are other times when we play nicely together. Through color and the physicality of the paint application, I am able to let feelings and thoughts come to the surface. My process includes laying the canvas directly on the floor and applying paint with my hands/rags/brushes while moving around the piece, resulting in work which emphasizes color, texture and the physical act of painting itself.
Selected Exhibitions:
2019
“27th Annual Juried Regional Exhibition.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery. Buffalo, NY. 1st Prize recipient.
“Juried Modern Exhibition.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery. Honorable Mention Award Recipient.
2018
“122nd Catalogue Exhibition” Buffalo Society of Artists. Art Space, Buffalo, NY.
“Juried Modern Exhibition.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery. Honorable Mention Award Recipient.
2017
“Buffalo Society of Artists Spring Exhibition.” Kenan Center House Gallery, Lockport, NY.
“121st Catalogue Exhibition” Buffalo Society of Artists. Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology, Buffalo, NY.
Silver Medal Award Recipient.
2016
“Four Person Show.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery.
“Juried Modern Exhibition.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery. Honorable Mention Award Recipient.
“Buffalo Society of Artists 125th Anniversary Show.” Carnegie Art Center, Tonawanda, NY.
“Hallwalls Members Exhibition.” Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center. Buffalo, NY.
2015
“Amid/In WNY 2015 - Part Five.” Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center.
“119th Catalogue Exhibition.” Buffalo Society of Artists. Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology.
“24th Annual Juried Regional Exhibition.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery.
“Juried Modern Exhibition.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery.
“Juried Traditional Exhibition.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery. Second Prize Recipient.
2014
“Barge Project Prototype.” Burchfield Penney Art Gallery. Buffalo, NY.
“Buffalo Society of Artists Spring Show.” Buffalo Arts Studio. Buffalo, NY.
“23rd Annual Juried Regional Exhibition.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery.
“Juried Modern Exhibition.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery.
2013
“Buffalo Society of Artists Spring Show.” Karpeles Manuscript Museum. Buffalo, NY.
“22nd Annual Juried Regional Exhibition.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery. Second Prize Recipient.
“Juried Modern Exhibition.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery.
2012
“Buffalo Society of Artists Spring Show.” Big Orbit, Buffalo, NY.
“21st Annual Juried Regional Exhibition.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery. Honorable Mention Award.
2011
“Trilogies XXII Exhibition – 3 Person Show.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery.
“20th Annual Juried Regional Exhibition.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery.
“Emerging/Converging Art Show.” Avant Building (Offices of Damon Morey), Buffalo, NY.
“Maynifestation – Four Person Show.” Artspace Gallery. Buffalo, NY.
2010
“19th Annual Juried Regional Exhibition.” Western New York Artists Group Gallery.
2005
“National Exhibition.” Impact Gallery. Buffalo, NY.
2004
“National Exhibition.” Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Ill.
2003
“Three Person Show.” Wells College, String Room Gallery. Aurora, NY.
“Solo Show.” State of the Art Gallery. Ithaca, NY.
2000
“Solo Show.” Earlville Opera House. Earlville, NY.
1999
“8th Regional Exhibition.” Art Dialogue Gallery. Buffalo, NY.
1998
“Two Abstract Painters.” Bockrath Gallery. Cleveland, Ohio.
“Convergence ’98.” Carnegie Art Center. Tonawanda, NY.
1997
“SmithtownTownship Arts Council Show.” Mills Pond House. St. James, NY.
1996
“Forty-Sixth Western New York Exhibition.” Albright-Knox Art Gallery. Buffalo, NY.
“Third Annual Show.” Impact Gallery. Buffalo, NY.
1995
“38th Chautauqua National Exhibition.” Chautauqua Art Association Gallery. Chautauqua, NY.
1993
“36th Chautauqua National Exhibition.” Chautauqua Art Association Gallery. Chautauqua, NY.
1992
“First Regional Artists’ Exhibition.” Art Dialogue Gallery. Buffalo, NY.
Collections: Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, Hotel Henry at the Richardson Olmsted Complex, Buffalo, NY, and Private Collections.
Affiliations: Exhibiting member of Buffalo Society of Artists, Western New York Artists Group, Buffalo, NY, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, Buffalo, NY, Big Orbit, Buffalo, NY.
Public Presentation: 2019: “Talk the Talk” (YouTube) Eileen Pleasure on Edward Bisone, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center.
Artist's Website: epoabstract.com
(Source: From the Artist)
