Eleanor Zimmer Reykjalin is a self taught artist. She grew up on a working cattle and horse farm near Russell, Manitoba where her family raised thoroughbreds. They traveled extensively to race circuits across the West, giving her first hand experience at home and on the road of the daily life, care, and love of animals.
Her past, present, and future interactions with the ranching lifestyle generate her choice of subject matter. She trusts this will motivate the viewer into experiencing the intelligence and diversity of the horse, to feel the elements and their impact on the seasons, the landscape, the senses, and instincts of humans and animals alike.
Eleanor's artistic ability pulls you into her art, which captures the relationships between animals, humans and nature. Her artistic style could be described best as realistic in colour and form, gentle yet rugged, depicting the western way of life. Eleanor captures many traditional and modern western lifestyles with various media types. A wide spectrum of artifacts are used to enhance the emotion captured in each painting. Eleanor primarily paints on canvas, however she also uses saws, woodstove lids, bone, stirrups, and many other objects.
Original
Artwork, Limited and Open Edition Prints, Greeting Cards, Bookmarks, and
Magnets are available. Eleanor does commissioned work for private collectors.
Her artwork is found in private and corporate collections throughout the
world.
Eleanor also offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced drawing and oil
painting Workshops to individuals and groups. She can travel to your location
or coordinate a weekend away, including accomodations and meals - the possibilities
are endless!
Eleanor has exhibited at numerous Cowboy Poetry Gatherings at Pincher Creek and Maple Creek, Alberta; Regina Agribition, Saskatchewan; Yorkton Sunflower, Saskatchewan; and Lloydminster, Saskatchewan to name a few. She designed the Centennial Whiskey Label for the Western Stock Growers Association 9W6 1896-1996 Celebration.
Eleanor
is proud to a be a Juried Member of the Saskatchewan Crafts Council. She
is also is very honoured to be an official Mounted Police Fund (MPF) Licensee.
Currently, she has two pieces of artwork that are licensed by the MPF, entitled
"The Grand Entry" and "The Grand March". Share the RCMP
experience and help your community grow. A percentage from every sale of
an authentic RCMP gift goes directly back to youth in communities across
Canada. While promoting a great Canadian image with your purchase and showing
your Canadian pride you are also helping promote safety in your community.
Eleanor travels to different art shows throughout the year in the Prairies,
and takes custom orders for artwork. If you would like to learn more, please
contact her.
Eleanor and her husband Ken Downing reside on a ranch in Ormiston, Saskatchewan... the perfect setting to reflect and inspire her life and art.