Two York County artists, Diane Abbott Monach and Jeanne Wayman Eickhoff, create a beautiful tapestry of collaboration spanning across multiple artistic mediums, especially in the art of friendship.
Both artists are well known in their respective fields: Diane an accomplished costume designer, playwright and director, and Jeanne known for her realistic depictions of Yorktown and landscapes extracted from sketches and photos she takes around the world.
Their paths first crossed in York County where, as mothers, they supported high school art programs. But when a local ladies group brought them together at a county favorite, Pop’s Diner, they truly gravitated to each other as artists, former Wolverines and writers. Diane earned her MFA at the University of Michigan, specializing in costume design for famous musicals such as “My Fair Lady” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” She also wrote “Lady Lambert,” a play that won the prestigious University of Michigan Hopwood Award. Diane is the mother of Bruce, Keith and Grace, and lived in Naples and Oahu before settling in York County.
Jeanne, another Michigan alumna, known for her paintings of historic Yorktown, is also an expert in graphic design. Her work has been compared to Van Gogh and Hopper, but she’s also designed graphics for military aircraft training software for Boeing Aerospace — more recently for York Country’s Art on the River show, which this year celebrated its 10th anniversary. She contributes more than just the logo; she judged the show and served 14 years as the county’s arts commissioner. Jeanne is the mother of Nicole and Aaron, and lived in nine states before settling in York County.
Despite different backgrounds and areas of expertise, Diane and Jeanne shared a connection in their passion for writing and publishing. While in Italy, Diane wrote a book called “The Substitute Bridegroom,” penned under her middle name, Jeanne. At the same time, Jeanne (Eickhoff), was in the midst of research and creating characters for a historical novel and found inspiration in Diane’s writing.
Friendship blossomed as they found time, sometimes three times a week, to write, talk and edit each other’s work at a local restaurant with Wi-Fi and privacy booths. When the restaurant closed, they struggled to find another collaboration space. With no luck, they each found themselves pulled back to their major art fields, sewing and painting, logo design for Jeanne and costume design for Diane at the Williamsburg Players.
They remained fierce friends. Diane proved their mutual inspiration was not limited to writing. Despite a busy life and travel, she found time to create exquisite, personalized quilts for Jeanne’s first two grandchildren to the delight of the entire family.
Then, in a truly magnificent act of friendship, Diane made a very special quilt for Jeanne on her 60th birthday: the nine-part series of her intricate paintings known as the “Houses of Historic Yorktown.” The series depicts landmarks of Yorktown, including the Nelson House and Grace Church, among others. Diane painstakingly replicated the entire series with stunning likeness to Jeanne’s original set that is sold in postcard versions.
Sharon Owen, the long-standing manager of York Hall Gallery, has long represented Jeanne’s art in her gallery that also features extraordinary quilting. This summer, Sharon graciously brings this unique set for together for public viewing on the main floor, originals together side by side, in a display of history, art and love.
Their lives have since guided them on more paths, yet Diane and Jeanne remain close friends and continue to pursue their passions in art, writing and publishing. Their story is a testament to the power of collaboration and enduring bond of friendship.
Diane has collaborated before on another one of Jeanne’s paintings, the popular Yorktown Onion. Now through August, purchase a raffle ticket for a framed and signed print and/or a one-of-a-kind quilted tote bag made by talented Diane. This beautiful, handcrafted bag is sturdy to hold books and will last for years to come. All proceeds of this raffle will benefit the gallery and are available at York Hall.
Nicole Marie Anne Eickhoff is the daughter of Jeanne Eickhoff and lives in Spain.
