Personal Background

Eileen Fjerstad was born in Montana in 1941.  Her father, ,a petroleum engineer whose career had the family living in various locations up and down the Rockies, eventually settled in Cody, Wyoming where Eileen graduated from high school.  Fjerstad attended the University of New Mexico, graduating with an education degree, married, taught high school for 9 years.  In 1972 the young family moved to Australia where they lived for 2 years.  On leaving Australia they traveled with backpacks through out Southeast Asia to the Middle East.  Traveling triggered the desire in Eileen to be able to capture the sights of the world through sketches and painting.  However that desire was postponed on returning to Colorado as Fjerstad and her husband then became involved in a business near Purgatory Ski Resort in Southwest Colorado.  Eventually after both children had moved on to college, Fjerstad rekindled her desire to paint. 

In 1984 she took up watercolor professionally and began developing the craft which has become her passion.

Artistic Background

  Primarily a “plien air” painter, Eileen finds that her immediate surroundings of the San Juan Mountains offer unlimited inspiration.  Capturing the color and light of these magnificent mountains in their ever changing drama of weather and seasons has been Eileen’s constant challenge as she has developed her distinctive style of watercolor artistry.   In summer she climbs to high mountain lakes and wanders four wheel drive roads in search of wildflower meadows, rushing streams and mountain peaks.  In winter she often dons cross country skis and a backpack full of painting gear to trek to the best vantage point to paint her subject of the day. When the winter weather becomes difficult the artist can be found loading her truck for camping trips to the relatively warmer climes found in the desert of the Four Corners close by.  Fascinated with the amazing varieties of subject matter and vibrant colors found in the deserts of Utah and Arizona, Fjerstad roams familiar canyons and mesas, endeavoring to capture the drama and excitement of this spacious and captivating land.

   Also an inveterate traveler, Eileen’s inventory of work will often reflect special places from those travels.  Spain, Caribbean, and New Zealand subject matter finds itself shown along with work from the Rocky Mountain west.

Where her work has been seen

Fjerstad’s work had been featured in several one-person, gallery and group shows as well as in state and national competitions.  Her work has found its way into collections of discerning buyers, both private and corporate throughout the country. See Resume for details.

Direction

Though largely a self-taught artist, Eileen has studied with notable artists Jack Hines, Jessica Zemskey, Joseph Shepherd, Paul Folwell, and through workshops, reading and constant study of watercolor techniques.  Fjerstad continues to grow in her art, as the increasing popularity of her work attests, bringing the delights of nature in the southwest to the eye of the viewer through the brilliant softness of her watercolors