Artist Bio: Eilleen Knott

Eilleen Knott, an American artist, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and currently resides in Elizabethton, Tennessee. Creating art has been her passion since she was in elementary school. Knott says, “I could never pick a favorite color, I love them all!” Throughout her youth she continued to expand her knowledge of art and began making an income from painting custom tiles for residential and commercial markets. Success allowed her to expand her repertoire to creating art for luxury motor coaches. Knott led a team to paint a mural at a Makkah Indian Reservation school. Currently, Knott is a professional fine art painter. Though her mediums have changed over time, her art continues to radiate her celebration of rich color. Knott graduated from the Milan Art Institute and has sold her artwork, nationally and internationally. Her art has been featured in multiple magazines.

Knott’s art is known as an adventure for the imagination as colors and figures are explored and revealed. Discovery is a passion of Knott, whether of a new emerald green trail, the deep blue of one of her favorite Oregon beaches, or her soul. “As an abstract realism artist, I had to push through my comfort zone into the rugged environment of creating beauty with paint”, Knott explains. Sometimes she uses brushes and sometimes a rubber spatula to paint. This allows her to let go of control and allow adventure in her creative process. “My challenge was one of self-discovery and that continues today, and will the rest of my life”, Knott adds.

Knott prolifically paints in her Tennessee studio where windows welcome the outdoors inside. The view of unique trees, lush green grass, twisted grape vines, fruit trees, colorful raspberries, and blue berries. Knott resides with her biggest fan, her husband Michael. Nearby are her two married children and 6 spirited grandchildren. They are a great source of joy, inspiration and hugs. Knott is currently working on her next colorful series and commission pieces. Future plans include establishing an art gallery and studio in historic Tennessee.