Oil portraits both casual and formal, particularly children, in the American Impressionist style
"My interest in people and the Impressionist and modern use of color is what has most influenced my work to date. I am fascinated with the human form, and enjoy the challenge of capturing personality and individuality. My inspiration comes from the faces of the community in which I find myself. Through the use of form and color, I aspire to make known the essence of the subjects I paint. I have named my studio Kythe, a Scottish word that means to make known."
Ms. Dudley's art career began with her mother letting her create murals on the basement walls of her home when she was five. She studied art from that time forward. Although Eileen majored in fine art at Syracuse University, it was not until 1982, when she apprenticed under a master portraitist, that her skill for portraiture and the Impression style bloomed. For the next thirty years Ms. Dudley painted in this style, satisfied numerous portrait commissions, and won multiple awards for her work. In 2010, a Christmas gift book sparked an interest in Classical Realism which led Eileen to pursue independent study in this area through through online study with Sadie Valeri Atelier, as well as workshops led by Jordan Sokol and Michael Grimaldi. Although the study of Classical Realism has informed her portrait work, the influence of classical realism is most seen in Ms. Dudley's still life paintings.
While living on the Gulf Coast, Ms. Dudley was active in exhibiting her work and consistently received awards for her portraits. Since her move to rural Georgia, she has been active in the Emanuel Arts Council and has displayed her work in numerous one-woman shows as well as area juried exhibits.
