The joy I feel when clients communicate their feelings about my work and how gifts were received brings such meaning to all I do and strive for as an artist. I am humbled when I think about the number of people who have personal and family keepsakes in their homes all across the United States, and some pieces abroad. Many of these works will be passed down through generations. I am grateful to God for the gift He has given me and my good fortune of being able to work as a full-time artist.
Custom Hand-Calligraphy and Watercolor Illustration Gift
“My sister and I wanted a special artist
to capture Jesse in a praise pose and
I set out to find the perfect artist
and I found Eileen.
As if her painting was
not off the chart, she did an
amazing job adding Jesse’s
favorite bible verse.”
-Sylvia Richardson
Studio Gift Caricature
~ for Anne Owl ~
as she moves on from
INTO Mason with George Mason University
Wishing her well as she walks through the next open doors into the future!
Watercolor Portrait
and
Flowers
on Hand-Painted Framed
Invitation
“Looks so awesome! I’m sure they are going to love it.”
– Christen Hemphill
“Eileen did a beautiful portrait of our home. We just love it! She is an amazingly talented woman!
Thank you, Eileen”
-Lou Greene
“I have two paintings that Eileen has painted for Dot and I.
One is of my house and the other is of the altar window of our church, which we gave to my father.
Both show her excellent attention to detail. We couldn’t be more pleased with these works.”
– Bobby Straub, Courtland, Alabama
This portrait of
St. John’s Episcopal Church Altar, located in Decatur, Alabama,
was commissioned by a parishioner as a gift to his father
in celebration of a milestone birthday.
The altar coverings had been
gifted to the parish from Mr. Straub, so this painting held special meaning to him.
(Left) Mr. Straub is holding his framed original painting,
done in watercolor and with
metallic gold highlights accenting some of the detailed parts.
This was quite a spiritual and artistic joy for me to create,
and quite a challenge to paint the intricacies of the stained glass
and other architectural features of this beautiful sanctuary.
“Eileen-Let me set the stage….Camping at a beautiful mountain lake with my pregnant wife, young girls and dogs on the day and time we were married 10 years ago.
We had a meal of hard caught trout then I gave her the present. Since these words had a lot of meaning to us, there were tears all around.
Very great moment for our family. Thank you for your hard work, artistry and time creating a piece that went beyond $ or a transaction. It made our lives a little better and created a new beautiful memory in my family’s life. Thank you!!!!!!“
Derrick
Caricature gift for Ellen ~
faculty member with
INTO Mason
(George Mason University).
Caricature gift for Karyn ~
faculty member with
INTO Mason
(George Mason University).
Caricature gift for Kirsten ~
faculty member with
INTO Mason
(George Mason University).
80th Birthday Gift
Caricature gift for Sarah ~
faculty member with
INTO Mason
(George Mason University).
Caricature gift for Jessica, Director of Student Experience with INTO Mason
(George Mason University).
“Eileen, it’s perfect. I love it so much.Thank you for such an incredible gift that our family will cherish for many years to come.”
– Kim and Seth Olson
“Eileen, I am speechless!!!
It looks absolutely beautiful!
So, so happy with how it turned out 🙂
You did an amazing job with the flowers and the Manor House – I can’t get over how realistic everything looks.
And the frame/matting look great too!
I cannot wait to see it in person and find a place to hang it with my preserves bouquet – they are going to look so nice together! THANK YOU!!! 🙂 “
– Erin, March 2018
“Each of the ladies got their beautiful ornament today after church. Here are a couple of pics for you. All are very thrilled with your beautiful painting of our beloved church, especially our pastor’s wife. She’s pictured in the front middle. I’m on left front with red dress and black boots and very white hair!
Thank you again!”
~ Martha, December 2018; Salem Presbyterian Church; Blair, SC; founded 1812
“Already adorning my tree! So beautiful!
Thank you!”
~ Martha, December 2018
“One of Dad’s golfing buddies pointed out there was a partial rainbow during the Father/Daughter dance.
I mentioned it to Eileen–and there it is in the painting! You have exceeded our expectations-you captured the mood perfectly. You were such a pleasure to work with. Thank you so much.”
~ Karen Snell,
Mother-of-the-Bride, 5/25/13
“Eileen, Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful talent with us at our wedding. You exceeded our expectations by far and we cannot wait to share our beautiful new painting with everyone who enters our home!” ~ Cameron and John, 5/25/13
“They loved it!”
~ Kathy, November 2008
See More Hand-Painted Christmas Balls |
A well-received custom family tree, also personalized with Spanish. Above left, the mother is the main gift recipient…on right a cousin is shown with an identical print. A number of prints went out to this family! See More Family Trees |
 How the 80th Birthday Caricature (Left)Was Inspired: “Dad is a civil engineer— Retired Army Corps of Engineers. He likes structural things— ie he once said that celery was his favorite vegetable because he understood the structure. He is a gourmet cook, wood worker — built “boat beds” for his grandchildren, private pilot— he had a twin engine Sky Master which is a small plane, sailor, in his retirement he has taken on campaigning for improving the Arizona Public Schools, and fostering kittens. He seems to really like the cats. He is also a hiker, and at various times repaired antique clocks. His favorite bridge is the Brooklyn Bridge which at the time it was built was the longest cable suspension bridge. As a kid I remember him teaching my brother and I how to use a Sexton, to read maps. We used to pull out the National Geographic Atlas after dinner. He also repeated bits of poetry that I think he had to memorize — like ‘ The time has come the Walrus said to speak of many things, of sailing ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings….’. – Lewis Carroll The Walrus and Carpenter. He would say this to us when we had to go to bed.” See More Watercolor Caricatures |
 See “A Cord of Three Strands”TM“Hi! Eileen, I wouldn’t dream of giving anything else as a wedding gift! Your work is amazing and your attention to every detail is so much appreciated. I’ve attached a thank you note from my nephew Pat and his bride Emily who obviously loved it 😉 The most recent Three Strands for Ricky and Nicole came out better than I thought it would! The colors of names and the gold frame really do go so well with their picture. I know they will love it! I’ll let you know when I hear from them. You are a blessed artist, Lady!” — Diane Leake |
  (Above) Winners of Dried Flower Art Raffles from St. John’s Episcopal Church fundraising events. See More of Custom Dried Flower Art  See More People Portraits(Above ) See Close-Up with Photo References Used |
 See Tree With Roots Grown Together Personalized Design |
| (Above) “Eileen, thank you again for somehow having created exactly what I pictured in my head. My best friend and her now husband loved it so much they hung it in their dining room before they even had the wedding!!! I snapped a picture to show you. Thank you again, Alison ” |
 See More Pet Portraits |
| (Above) “I was so excited to get the painting in the mail. It was like Christmas morning. My expectations were exceeded with the end result. Eileen captured the “personality” of my sweet Sadie. She improved upon the picture that I sent to her by adding the pretty yellow flowers. I also very much appreciated the fact that Eileen checked in with me throughout the process to get my opinion, especially since I am in Delaware and she is in Alabama. I highly recommend Eileen and her work.” – Pam Connelly |
 (Left) “His favorite corner in the new office. As usual, Eileen has done an outstanding job with these paintings.”–Kemal Erkan, United Medical LLC See More Pet Portraits |
 See “A Cord of Three Strands”TMWedding and Anniversary Gift |
 (Left)“Hi Eileen: Just a brief note to thank you once again for the beautiful painting. I did want to let you know that I presented it to my daughter for her birthday and she loved it. She immediately cried and asked how I did that. We put it on display on an easel at her wedding right near the table of place cards when guests entered the room. Everyone loved it. My daughter looked gorgeous, everything went smoothly, and everyone had a great time. The weather that day was perfect and we got gorgeous pictures! I hope all is well with you and that you have a wonderful weekend. Thanks, Paula” See More Custom Hand Calligraphy |
 “Eileen: I want to take a minute to let you know how much I absolutely love the portrait you did for my retirement for John Gardner! You totally captured my son and dog. This lovely picture as already found a home on the wall in our dining room and every time I walk by, it warms my heart. It truly is a perfect gift. I’ve enjoyed checking out your website and have shared it with my family and friends. You have a remarkable talent. Wishing you the best. Thank you, Shelly”June 2018 See More Pet Portraits |
 (Left)A Texas couple holding their Blue Bonnets landscape retirement gift. |
 (Left)Client giving speech at a 50th Anniversary Celebration in Ireland, with the Custom Family Trees on the easel displays. See More Custom Family Trees |
 (Left) Hand Calligraphy of two writings by Thomas Aquinas, with illuminated lettering and highlights. Hung in Catholic Church in California. See More Hand Calligraphy  “Dear Eileen, Yesterday,we received your beautiful framed artwork. It’s absolutely lovely! We just want to tell you how much we appreciate all your work to create such a special gift for our son & daughter-in-law! Thank you SO much!” –Mary Anne & Joe(6/14/13; ordered These Hands Calligraphy print with custom drawing of hands)  (Left)Bride and Groom open their “These Hands” calligraphy at wedding reception. |
 (Left)Framed artwork in Doctor’s Office  (Left) A client holds a portrait of his mother and siblings together. See More People Portraits  (Above) “I commissioned Eileen to paint our family home. My parents bought this house in 1955; Dad moved out in 2009 and sold the house. When the painting was presented to Dad and hung in his new room, tears of joy flowed.”–Michael Dutton “Every day I walk downstairs, enter my kitchen, and I see the home I grew up in. Even though it was done from a photo, there is something special about this water color painting that brings out the warmth and natural feeling of something created the same way a family was created while we lived there. Subtle shadings and small deviations add warmth to this scene that were not in the photo had we simply had it blown up and framed. To truly immortalize something special in your life, have Eileen Slifer paint it for you — it will add warmth and joy to your life!”–Donald Dutton See More House Portraits “Eileen, Just had to write to tell you how pleased I am with this item. I’m not a customer who is easily impressed and since I, too, do calligraphy, I was honestly a little skeptical of what this might look like. Not having the time to work on it myself before the wedding, I figured I’d give your piece a shot…am I ever happy I did! This is striking and the happy couple will absolutely LOVE it. Thank you very much and if you ever need a reference, give me a shout! Thanks again, Abby…” (July 17, 2001; ordered the “I Corinthians 13” with roses custom wedding piece) “I did receive word from my best friend in Boston that she received the piece you did for me and she said ‘It’s the nicest gift anyone has ever given us.’ I am sorry that I gave you such short notice and I should have put a later date on there but I didn’t want to guess. I thought if I just put 8/1 you would do it as soon as you could. I have not been able to see the piece in person yet (I’m in Colorado) but Tena has assured me that it is gorgeous and said she will take some pictures of it to send to me until I can make it out there to see it for myself. Thank you for getting it done so quickly! It made the perfect anniversary gift. Regards, Gail…” (August 25, 2000; ordered the “Cord of 3 Strands” piece) “Dear Eileen…We just wanted to drop you a quick note to say that we love the “Cord of Three Strands” that you did for us. Both Doug and I love the calligraphy. It hangs in a very prominent place next to our framed wedding invitation. Thank you again for a very treasured piece of art. In Him, Laura and Doug…” “Very beautiful!! I bought it for my parent’s 50th anniversary and they love it. Lisa…” (“A Cord of Three Strands”) “Your work is beautiful and very impressive. Thank you, Roberta…” (“A Cord of Three Strands”) “The families, staff, and volunteers of the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware thank you for spending time doing caricatures for the children…” (April 13, 2001) “Hi Eileen, I received the keepsake yesterday and gave it to my husband last night. I’m totally thrilled with it; it’s absolutely beautiful and we both love it. We will hang it in a prominent place in our bedroom. Thank you so much, we will treasure it forever. Sincerely, Eva…” (October 27, 2000)“Dear Eileen, Just wanted to drop you a note to let you know how much we appreciate the lovely talent God has given you. The print you did for our anniversary is beautiful. Thank you so much. God Bless, June and Charlie…” (was given “I Corinthians 13” with ivy custom wedding piece) “Dear Eileen: Thank you so very much for being so kind as to let me have the framed copy of David’s picture. You ‘caught’ the essence of David. It was an unusual gift to those who loved our son. Bill and I wanted you to know how very much we appreciated it. Love, Alice and Bill…” “Dear Eileen, Thank you sooo much for Rachel’s picture. It is beautiful. I pray God will bless your business (and family) richly for your generosity. Thanks and Love ya, Judy and Steve and Rachel…” “Dear Eileen, Thank you for serving our children as art instructor this year. I appreciate your heart for the students and your ability to glorify God with your art expertise. Sincerely, Nancy…” (June 1, 2000) “Dear Eileen, I visited your web page this evening…The Lord certainly gave you a great talent. I am very proud that you are my daughter-in-law by marriage. Love, Janet…” (August 31, 2000) “Thank you for your ministry of artwork. The Lord bless you in your work for Him. For His Glory, Carol…” (November 22, 2000) “Thank you for your patience and care in helping make my husband’s birthday extra special…Sincerely, Amy…” (May 9, 2001; ordered custom framing job of special wedding photo, with calligraphy added) “Eileen, Thank you so much for doing the Shower invitations for Suzanne. They were absolutely beautiful and we have received many compliments on them. Thanks again for making them special. Barbara…” |
