Dominique Eichi — In Memoriam
Dominique Eichi was beyond excited to hear about the USk grant program and became an eager evangelist for the USk San Diego chapter to host a major event. She and Renata submitted a proposal — with no great expectations against a competitive field of 17 — and much to their surprise were granted an award. Then the hard work began.
Dominique, despite advancing ALS symptoms, was 100% committed to the success of the event. She arranged for the workshop instructors and spearheaded the Art Show at Gallery 21. She was scheduled to give a workshop and also jury the gallery exhibition. Unfortunately, the disease progressed much too quickly and she passed on September 7th. Although we are incredibly sad that she did not live to see the fruits of her vision or receive the accolades she so truly deserved for the 2022 Seminar, we are celebrating a life well-lived and are the better for having had her as part of the San Diego sketch community.
Dominique was born in New York and studied in Switzerland where she earned her degree as an interior architect. She later returned to the states, where San Diego had been her home for the past 40 years. She started her own business doing murals and faux-finishes for 18 years then worked as a visual designer for 11 years for a larger company. After retirement, she could be seen in Spanish Village Studio 2 where her pieces were displayed in the gallery.
She loved the hands-on approach to art and favored doing art in plein air (but did not exclude studio setting). Her medium of choice was pen and ink with watercolor accents. She loved drawing architecture, landscapes, figures, or still life, and said it was truly rewarding to create a piece of art using your own impressions and feelings.
Her art had been featured in numerous galleries and locations including Pottery Barn, West Elm and notably the San Diego International Airport in Terminal 2 for the year-long celebration of Balboa Park’s Centennial. Most of her pieces were native to San Diego areas, but she had numerous pieces reflecting her travels in Europe, with each possessing her unique interpretation.
