Eileen Wallach pours spirit into art one dot at a time

Release Date: 6/2/2004. Expired: 7/24/2004

The biggest floods begin with a single drop of rain, much like the torrent of color and emotion Eileen Wallach pours into each of her paintings one dot at a time. Her abstract acrylic paintings are made with several thousand dots and have created a unique look that has found its way into collections around the world.

New works by the Craggie Hope, Tenn., artist will be on display for the first time in an exhibit in the Visual Arts Gallery of The Renaissance Center in Dickson June 19-July 24. An opening reception with the artist will be 5-7 p.m. June 19.

“Eileen’s work has been featured in several exhibits and juried shows, including the Renaissance Regional Art Exhibit,” said Curtis Southerland, curator of the Visual Arts Gallery. “Her unique color choices enhance the appealing patterns, lines and rhythms that the viewer optically translates from the dots.”

Originally from the New York/Pennsylvania area, Wallach spent 20 years in managerial and teaching positions after receiving a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, Health and Recreation from the University of Tampa, Florida. She taught in an independent day school in Florida before joining the Wilmington Jewish Community Center in Delaware as program director. She later transferred to Nashville to become recreational services and camp director for the Gorden Jewish Community Center until 1999.

Though Wallach is not a formally trained artist, she has attended many different types of art classes throughout her lifetime and was inspired to switch careers to pursue her artistic talents.

“Attending a woman’s spirituality gathering about 15 years ago, I was asked to find something from the earth and then create art from it,” Wallach said. “My painting career began at this pivotal point. Prior to this the many internal powers I had within myself were becoming entrapped and very destructive in my life. It was after reaching down and touching the earth, I believe the true connection to my tribal desert spirit took place.”

Wallach said her paintings usually start with a color idea, bold contrast and a multitude of lines.

“They are hard and soft or sexy and frigid,” she explained. “My paintings are the fuel consumption of all my personal feelings, thoughts and powers. One painting can consume hours of self-meditation and that is why I only create one piece at a time.

“There is a powerful connection between the canvas and me. I invite the people drawn to my work to touch it, engross themselves in to the power that excites them. Many viewers say they feel the healing and positive energies that come from my intense paintings, which are created with several thousand dots.”

Wallach began a company called dot2dot for the commission and sale of her art. Her works have been featured in Artclectic 2003 in Nashville, The Arts Council of Cheatham County (where she received best in show), Totally ArtCentric 14 in Nashville and the Bell Buckle Festival, as well as a solo exhibit in the Janet Levine March Gallery. Her work has been commissioned by and is in collections of people from Tennessee, Delaware, Connecticut, Florida and Australia.

Her works will be on display in the Visual Arts Gallery 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, June 19-July 24. Admission to the gallery and opening reception is free.

For more information on this and other exhibits at The Renaissance Center, contact Southerland at (615)740-5519 or .

The Renaissance Center is an arts and technology education and performing arts center at 855 Highway 46 South in Dickson, just 35 miles west of Nashville on Interstate 40 at exit 172.

Visit the Visual Arts Gallery page for more about the gallery.

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