Eileen Shirly-Jones Leake
Eileen Leake passed away December 7, 2009 in Barstow, California. Eileen was a resident of Hinkely California for 22 years. Artist Eileen Leake was a Native of Upstate New York. The mother of seven children, she began painting in the early 1960’s for what she called a “diaper diversion.” Eileen managed to stay involved with modeling and teaching at the John Robert Powers School, while attending Rochester Institute of Technology and Nazareth Collage in Rochester, New York.
Through military travel, Eileen and husband, Bruce enjoyed five years in Hawaii where she studied at the Foss School of Fine Arts and with renowned seascape artist Bennett Bradbury, a former assistant director at Walt Disney Studios and with Chinese artist Lau Chun, internationally known for his abstraction, cubism and mosaic approach to painting. She also studied with “Patric,” well known both here and abroad for her unique portraiture and sculpture. Concurrently, she took courses at the University Of Honolulu Academy Of Arts.
A member of the Association of Honolulu Artists, she began to enter her works in major shows, competitions and exhibitions. Before leaving the Islands, Eileen copyrighted her first limited edition print “Rabboni,” The Face of Christ from the Shroud of Turin. And in that same year, 1979, was certified by Gloria Foss, founder of The Foss School of Fine Arts, Honolulu, to teach Oil I-Color Theory here on the Mainland. This comprehensive foundation course in oil painting has evolved over a period of many years of intensive teaching into a precise and successful instrument for teaching good basics and color mixing principles to students ranging from beginners to very advanced, “challenging one and all. “ Eileen’s work has been seen in many shows throughout the High Desert, and her work is in several collections from Hawaii to New York. Most recently, at the 1997 San Bernardino County Fair, Fine Arts Show, Professional Category, the Cow Skull # 1, (a pristine white skull with feathers, on black canvas) was awarded Best of Show and Best of Class, in addition, her painting The Blue Vase, received First Place. Having won Best of Show at the local county level, the Cow Skull # 1, was eligible for entry into the 1997, Calififornia State Fair, County Best of Show competition where Eileen received the 3rd Award of Excellence. Eileen was also a member of the Barstow Woman’s Club. Survivors are Husband Bruce Leake of Hinkley daughters Patricia Oughterson of Oswego, New York, Linda Landis of Naples, Florida, Robin Jones of Rome, New York, Tracy Vanderscaaf of Pittsford, New York, Kelli Karavas of Naples, Flordia, and son Hill Leake of Las Vegas.Holly Del Gaudio of Pittsford, New York. In addition, Sister Sue Ulco of Great Bend, Pennsylvania. Together Eileen and Bruce had 11 Grandchildren and 5 Great-grandchildren. A memorial Service will be held later.