‘Pieces of the Past’ on display at A&M
Local artist Eileen Strobel Stearman hopes facets of her life stir up memories for those who see her work.
Stearman’s art now covers the gallery space walls at Texas A&M University-Texarkana’s John F. Moss Library in an exhibit, “Pieces of the Past,” that runs through June 28.
Three black-and-white watercolor pieces—which depict a shaving kit, a sink and faucet, and a pair of glasses beside a clock and lipstick—are indicative of what Stearman strives to capture in her work.
These three watercolors in the exhibit are based on essential memorabilia, the kind of familial belongings Stearman just can’t part with, including the ’50s
era glasses her mother happened to be wearing when President John F. Kennedy was killed.
“I thought it would capture some of the nostalgic look of the past,” Stearman explained of these pieces. Her memories are inextricably bound to them. “All the pieces have a story,” she said.
“The first and most recent journey depicts memorabilia pieces of art collected from loved ones and their memory,” Stearman says in her artist’s statement. “I have found the healing of loss by creating these pieces.”
In her statement, she explains that listening to instrumental music takes her to a place where she can “lose herself,” and this in turn helps her create her art. With watercolor, she says, she’s reached a point where she allows it to control her.
“I try to create art that can connect with me and others to something seen, felt, smelled, heard, touched or a memory,” Stearman wrote.
Talking about her exhibit, the artist explains that other works included in “Pieces of the Past” tell a different part of her journey as an artist, exploring
the ways she’s grown over the years. Most of the work she’s made originates from the past three or four years, and she’s created about a dozen of her 40-some pieces in here this year.
Stearman explains that art is a family pursuit. Her mother painted oils and her son, Cody Stearman, has an art business called Digital Effects. He creates vehicle wraps and more. Her uncle, Jerome Walker, worked in advertising and helped to create commercials, toys and packaging for accounts like McDonald’s. Tony the Tiger and the Keebler Elves? He worked on them.
“My family has created the foundation of where my love for art began and continues,” Stearman said, calling both her mother and son inspirational to her.
About her son’s graphics company, she said, “I’m thrilled to death that he made a career of it. It’s so neat to do something you love.”
A Texas native, Stearman built a career in radiology. And although she couldn’t study art in school, she drew and paid attention to art on her own, nevertheless. After college and her own career, she finally found the time to pursue art seriously in retirement. She’s a member of Arkansas-based MidSouthern Watercolorists and the 4 States Regional Art Club.
And here in Texarkana, her work can be found at the new 1894 Gallery downtown, along with the art of many other local and regional artists.
“Texarkana’s really fortunate because they really do have some talented people,” Stearman said.
When people stroll through the gallery at the A&M-Texarkana library, though, she hopes they are inspired to recall happy memories
“When you look at an image, to me it stimulates an emotion, something you’ve seen or smelled or heard or tasted,” Stearman said.
Check out Stearman’s exhibit to see if you’re stimulated to recall such wonderful memories.