After their meeting in 1943, Eileen Monaghan and Frederic Whitaker often went on sketching excursions. Soon Eileen began to paint again in watercolor under the “exciting influence” of Fred who suggested she enter competitive exhibitions. She didn’t feel she was ready, but as she said: “There was something about this painting.” She entered it in the Allied Artists of America competitive exhibition in 1949. Not only was it accepted. It won a prize. “What an incentive that was to continue painting seriously.” Eileen went on to win more than 80 awards for her paintings.