Eileen Williamson

Eileen Williamson is a Canadian artist known for her bold landscape paintings. Born in London, England Williamson’s parents encouraged the development of her artistic talents by exposing her to music and literature at an early age, giving her the first box of watercolours at age 6. The family moved to Canada post WW2 and Williamson grew up in Ontario and British Columbia. Williamson’s family spent summers camping or at the lake and her sketch pad was always at hand drawing the landscape.  Williamson completed a 2 year graphics art program while living in Vancouver in hopes of pursuing a career as an illustrator.

Between 1989 and 1992, Williamson lived in Nelson, BC, a budding mecca for artists and writers. Williamson studied at the Kootenay Summer School of the Arts and becoming actively involved with the Nelson and West Kootenay Arts Council. It was here that Williamson turned her talents towards landscape painting in acrylic and oils, showing her work in both solo and group shows. Missing the ocean, Williamson settled on Vancouver Island in 1992 immersing herself in the growing artist community there.

Much of Williamson’s recent work has evolved from plein air sketching. Her artist backpack carries pencils, drawing pad and a tin of watercolour paints. Williamson says that she never knows what she might find on her walkabouts and what gems might take back to the studio to work in later.

Williamson has worked as a painter, writer, muralist, set designer, illustrator and art instructor, photographer and darkroom technician. She works in various mediums but prefers acrylics as they allow for spontaneous and immediate results.

Williamson is a member of Art 10 Gallery, Federation of Canadian Artist, Nanaimo Arts Council, and the Ladysmith Arts Council and Gallery. She is a regular participating artist in the Nanaimo Artwalk. Williamson has work in private collections in Canada, USA and the UK.