About
Story Telling Paintings and Illustrations
Portraits, Animal, Religious, Still Life Paintings, Cowboys, Cowgirls & Horses
In her 30-year career, artist Eleanor Dixon Stecker has worked as a commercial illustrator, art director, teacher, computer graphics designer, painter, portraitist and watercolor painter.
She shares a studio in the country outside of Atlanta in Barnesville, GA, with artist- husband Alan Stecker, 2 dogs, and 2 cats. Family, Friends and Community are the central driving forces behind her art. Their immediate family includes on, Aaron, daughter-in-law, Peggy, and three grandchildren, Adam, Nina, and Ben.
Two years ago, Pastor Cyndi MacDonald of the First United Methodist Church in Barnesville posed a challenge to the community of artists. "Can you paint " The Stations of the Cross?" She asked. "We will display them in the sanctuary during Holy Week".
Out of this suggestion Dixon Stecker developed 5 paintings from the Biblical account of last week of the life of Jesus. These include, "Jesus and Judas", "Jesus Being Mocked by Roman Soldiers", "The Crucifiction of Jesus", "The Resurrection of Jesus", and "The Ascension of Jesus". Her next major painting in this series will be "The Last Supper".
"As an artist in the 21st century, I feel this series connects me with the long standing tradition of artists who have painted Biblically themed paintings. I have also discovered a mystical link to our incredible Judo-Christian heritage."
She has also been involved with a group called "Art Gone Wild"; where artists are invited to ZooAtlanta to paint the various animals, birds and reptiles. Before this she participated in a show "Out West In Georgia"' she developed a series of pictures based on horses and the relationships local people have with their farm animals. Her work also includes many commissioned portraits of children in oils or pastels.
Travel and producing paintings about those adventures are also important to Dixon Stecker's artistic endeavors.One of the most enjoyable and relaxing painting projects has been to participate in many plein aire “paint outs” that immerse one into the lushness of the Southern Landscape.
For 14 years Eleanor served as Creative Director of ASV, a family video business currently owned by Alan and Eleanor’s son Aaron. Prior to her work at ASV, she worked as a courtroom illustrator for NBC News, WAGA Channel 5 News, and WXIA, covering the high-profile trials of Wayne Williams, and James Bakker. She also covered the Paula Jones hearings and the White Water hearings. Among her other illustration projects were the design and illustration of children's books for the Presbyterian Church and storyboard presentations for many production companies.
Ms. Dixon completed her undergraduate studies at Rhode Island School of Design and Atlanta College of Art where she graduated with a BFA. She attended the University of Illinois, Chicago Circle Campus for Graduate Studies in Fine Art. As a fine arts painter in Chicago, Ms. Dixon jointly operated a fine arts studio with six artists. Her paintings have been shown in both Chicago and Atlanta, and she is represented in many collections around the country.
In 1998, she embarked on a career as a portrait painter. To hone her skills, studied with the well-known realist painter, Marlin Adams. She has continued her exploration of the portrait as a Fine Art by attending workshops with David Laffell, and Raymond Everett Kinsler.
She has served twice as president of Lamar Arts, Barnesville's local Arts Organization. She left after her 2nd term in office, in December 2010,
She remains as an active and involved board member. "I feel it is important for artists to involve themselves with their local arts community for the benefit of each other and also the larger community." she says.
While active in Lamar Arts she has curated many Fine Art shows with Angela Preston , including a retrospective of renowned abstract artist Herbert Creecy.
“ I see the world as a magical place, and my job, as an artist is to make the viewer aware of that magic." I might be painting Jesus, a portrait, a bowl of flowers or a scene of cowgirls, cowboys and their horses, or covering a trial with drawings. All are part of this amazing world that exists before our very eyes, and it’s my job to uncover and share that magic!”
Her paintings are available through her own studio, and with prints on this website.
She is available for some commissioned portraits, and paintings. Ms. Dixon’s portraits, watercolors, and still life paintings.
Her work may be viewed in person by appointment at her studio in Barnesville, GA, phone 770-358-6479.