Art as a rescue

Submitted

It was a medical diagnosis that encouraged local artist Stephen Eidson to look into opening an art gallery in Macks Creek. It was his backup plan.

In 2000 Eidson’s health was deteriorating, so he decided to rent a two-story building for use as a studio and gallery. A year later he was diagnosed with SID and CVID (similar to the Bubble Boy).

Treatments at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota have stabilized Eidson’s health and allow him to continue his day job as well as producing the art he loves. He admits life as an artist rarely leads to financial stability, but the personal satisfaction makes it worthwhile.

“Art rescues me from the stress and futility of life. If you can judge your own work as critically and honestly as you judge others, it allows you to enjoy the pleasure of expression,” Eidson said.

Photography and oils are Eidson’s favorite artistic pursuits. It is not unusual for him to work on more than one project at a time.
“I like having more than one work in progress. If I become frustrated with one I can move on and let it cool off, rather than ruin it. Some work takes hours, while others take weeks or months,” he said.

Eidson considers successful art capturing the essence of the subject while leaving out what is not necessary. “I try to enhance the visible and reveal the uniqueness of the subject's origin. I admire the struggle of life, it's contrast, juxtaposition as when tree limbs resist the earthly pull of gravity, reaching toward the light, resulting in graceful curves."