Art has a way of bringing you into a deeper part of yourself. I often describe my artwork as “Soulwork.” My creativity leads me into a journey of the soul.
I work intuitively, allowing each mark to lead to the next. With this process, I am able to connect deeper within myself. Intuition to me is about listening to my inner guidance to inform me of the next color, brush, movement, stroke and texture. I rely solely on this voice to guide me as I create. Picasso once told a friend that intuition was like having a carrier pigeon with a message land on your balcony. "The important thing is knowing that the pigeon has arrived," he said, "you don't have to unroll the message and read it.” I resonate so much with this statement. When I am creating, it is as if I have been given a message or image to transcribe into physical form. I don’t know what it is, but I do know that I must begin the work and it will reveal itself. I view art as this invisible, never-ending thread of creative energy and inspiration.
Through my own creative expression, my intention is to shift something within people that helps them see the world a little bit differently. My belief is that art has a way of planting subtle, delicate seeds to spark something within. Music has a way of planting these beautiful seeds as well. My idea to create a music set to collaborate with this show was intuitive. I knew that by combining the two there would be more vibration from the work. I feel music brings the work to life and allows the brain and spirit to move with the piece in a different way. My hope is that you will move through this show open-minded and heart-centered and simply allow yourself to receive and play with the energy in whatever way it wants to manifest through you. Movement is a big part of my creative process. I play music, dance, and free my mind of clutter whenever I paint so I can truly connect. This is what I want to share with you all. Let go of all the chatter in your mind and tune into your body. Feel it.
Click to view Eileen's work and shop the exhibit online!
Eileen McNeill is a Wichita-based artist who works mainly in acrylic painting. Eileen holds a Bachelor's degree in Studio Art, Graphic Design, and Art Therapy with a concentration in painting from Bethany College.
In 2020, she began a committed dive into her work and career as an artist. At the same time, Eileen also trained to become an Ecstatic Dance Facilitator and started “Ecstatic Dance Wichita,” a community organization to bring people together to dance and explore free-form movement. Since, Eileen has organized and hosted several Ecstatic Dance events in Wichita and the surrounding areas and showed her work at several spaces in Wichita. A principal theme in Eileen’s work is her spirituality and exploration of the Divine. She describes it as “soulwork,” finding connections within herself as well as her Higher Power. Eileen uses dance in her creative process to access what she calls the “Divine Flow” and creates from that space.
Previously, Eileen explored more abstract expressionist paintings incorporating light language. Light Language is a way to channel energy in order to create a specific vibration or frequency. Light Language can be seen in her work as resembling symbols and intuitive marks. Eileen’s more recent work has developed into abstract portraits of feminine forms as well as Extra-terrestrial like figures. Along with her incorporation of curated music journeys with her paintings. She is looking forward to where this new direction will take her.
Support for this exhibition was provided by the Arts Council.
