Eileen Williamson

Eileen Williamson is a Canadian artist known for her bold landscape paintings. Born in London, England, Williamson's family moved to Canada after WW2 and she 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 two year graphics art program while living in Vancouver in hopes of pursuing a career as an illustrator.

Williamson’s interest in fine art became serious when she moved to Nelson, BC in the late 1980’s. Williamson had her first public art show in the Nelson Artwalk. She volunteered on the board of the Nelson and District Arts Council and West Kootenay Regional Arts Council and took courses at the Kootenay School for the Arts, turning her talents towards acrylic landscape painting. Missing the ocean, Williamson settled on Vancouver Island in 1992 immersing herself in the growing artist community.

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

Living in Covid times has given me opportunity to be in my studio without distraction. I have feasted on the huge amount of sharing and learning among artists online. Much of my recent work has evolved from plein air sketching. My artist backpack carries pencils, drawing pad and a tin of watercolour paints and it goes with me everywhere. I never know what I will find on my walkabouts and what gems I might take back to the studio to work in later or maybe not.