By:Jason Scheer
"Years ago, in college, I played the art major with the paint stained pants and all of that," she said. "But now I'm just a person and I like to paint."
Painting is certainly a passion for Eckstein. It's also a source of pride.
Eckstein was among 40 artists of various crafts - jewelry, painting, sculpture - to be selected to participate in the Nassau County Museum of Art's third juried Art Fair and Sale.
The fair, which was held on Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17, was not one that just anybody could partake in. On the contrary, the 40 who were selected were among hundreds who tried to qualify.
Eckstein explained the significance of a juried event. "It's a juried show, which means you submit paintings, prints, slides of her work. Then they decided whether you qualify.
"...This isn't like an Arts-and-Crafts show that's open to anybody."
Eckstein has appeared in juried events before. Though humble, she knows she belongs and is worthy of participating in these prestigious events.
"I thought my work was good enough," she said.
When she first graduated from college, Eckstein's art degree didn't translate into much prestige. As a matter of fact, it translated into t-shirts, which she would design and sell.
Though she was content with her station, her father wasn't too happy.
"My father used to say, '10,000 on an art education and you paint t-shirts,'" she recalled.
Eventually, Eckstein's love for art crossed paths with a desire to earn a decent paycheck. Thus, she began working for a local chiropractor.
But she mixes no words when asked what her priorities are.
"Working at the [chiropractor's office,] that's just to pay the bills. That's just a job. But art, this is fun," she said.
Eckstein did have the opportunity to sell some of her work at the fair, an experience she said is both rewarding and nerve racking. "I hope they enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoy painting them."
Assessing a value to a work is something Ecsktein finds difficult. Her works, which she described as "little vignettes of quit times...places where you go for solitude or gathering with friends," appeal to many people.
The price of a piece - anywhere between $200 and $1300 - is determined by her attachment to it.
"It depends on how much goes into it," she said. "Painting is a very personal thing and you gain attachment to some [works]. It's hard to let go."
Eckstein is a long way from her days at Bridgeport. Now a grandmother herself, she enjoys seeing other people enjoy her work, especially when they are people close to her.
"I tried with my children," she said, but they were more into sports and probably rebelling like most kids. But they love that I paint and love hanging my paintings."
Her children might not have painted, but she is still holding out hope that her young, months-old grandchildren will one day pick up a brush and find the same love for art she did.
"I would love for them to paint and enjoy art," she said.
Comments about this story? Jscheer@liherald.com or 569-4000 ext. 234.
