When Eileen first traveled to Guatemala in 1988, San Diego friends Lauralee and Wayne Bennett who had convinced her it would be a colorful getaway for painting inspiration joined her. Lauralee took weaving lessons and Eileen tagged along to sketch, take photos, and chat with the natives in their own tongue. This was a natural for Eileen. “I’m studying people all the time,” Eileen said. “It is my instinct. I get so excited about people.” The weaving teachers became colorful subjects for paintings that she later did in her studio from the sketches, photos, and memories.