Eileen Seitz
Eileen Seitz was born on the island of Midtown Manhattan June 28th 1951. Her artistic world began when she was 8 years old. At age 13, she won first place in a New York City street festival for an oil painting called “Red Barn in the Snow”. At 16 she sold her first oil painting to a New York City art dealer. She attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn where she studied watercolors, drawing, and oil painting.
"It was in 1966 that I first got a glimpse of what the green jungle was all about. A short trip to the west coast of Puerto Rico, to a town called Rincon where all the surfers lived. Here they flocked like seals out on the sea, waiting to catch and ride the big waves. They lived in tree houses on the beach. That experience showed me and opened me up to a simple way of life, close to nature."
In 1968, Eileen left Pratt Institute for a year sabbatical. "I was studying Fine Art at school and moved to the island of St. Thomas. When we arrived, it was in the beginning of a 7 day tropical storm. It was then that I understood the power, beauty, grandeur and strength of mother nature. From that point on I knew I had found my place on the planet. My calling began to grow becoming stronger and stronger. I definitely knew I had to live in a tropical environment. The light, the colors, the smells of the earth, the sky and clouds, the birds and tropical fruits all free my soul. Here I thrive like the jungle plants after a good rain. This beauty is what inspires me to paint with the colors and blends that I do whether it is with watercolors on paper, or oil on canvas. Living in the tropics, allows my spirit to speak freely through pen and brush."
After St Thomas, Eileen Sietz traveled to St. Johns, St. Croix, Antiqua, Puerto Rico, Key West, Mexico all of Central America, Columbia, Kauai, Eleuthera, Nassau, Paradise Island, St. Marten, Tortola, Jamaica, Maui, St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominica, Anguilla, Barbados, Trinidad, Tobago, Guadalupe, Taveuni-Fiji, Bega-Fiji Oahu, England, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Amsterdam, Germany, Italy, France, Sicily, Corfu, Hawaii, Montenegro, Dubrovnik, Bora Bora, Moorea, Tahiti, Raiatea, Rangiora, and Nuku Hiva, Singapore and Bali. Her travels inspired and continue to inspire ideas for new works. The Truth and Beauty of these places is overwhelming and feeds Eileen’s artistic soul.
"I love to paint with my oil paints on large sized canvas. My intention is to bring the viewer INTO the paintings, feeling the life force that nature so abundantly shares with me. This is where the artist steps out and the magic between the viewer and his /her inner self occurs. This is what I am thankful for, to be a vehicle for. To make the connection for the individual to his SELF so that he too can witness the power of Spirit through the Gift I have been given to share."
For the past 51 years Seitz's artwork has been commissioned for films and TV, national and international resorts, hotels, cruise ships, and restaurants. Some of the charities Eileen Seitz has gifted her work to are The Boys and Girls Club of Miami Dade, Our Pride Academy for the disabled, Miami Special Olympics, Coconut Grove Children's Mosaic Mural, Family Resource Center, Coastal Conservation Association, and many more.
For 5 years, Seitz was on cruise ships teaching drawing and painting to guests. Then for 2 years she taught watercolors to children at the Miami Dade Boys and Girls Club.
Schools
Pels Art School, Manhattan, NY
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
Media
Watercolors, Oils on Canvas,
Mixed Media.
Awards
2019- 3rd Place Watercolors -St. Stephens Art Festival
2018-1st Place Drawing and Painting- St. Stephens Art Festival
2017- Poster Artist- St Stephens Art Festival
2016-3rd Place Award in Painting -South Miami Art Festival
2015- Best in Watercolors- South Miami Art Festival
2014-1st Place in Watercolors- South Miami Art Festival
2009-1st Place Award-South Miami Art Festival
2005- Collectors Award-South Miami Art Festival
2004- Collectors Award- South Miami Art Festival
1998-2nd Place in Watercolors- Banyan Art Festival
1997- Merit Award- Sunfest Music and Art Festival
1996- 2nd place in Watercolors Festival of the Arts Ft. Lauderdale
1994- Collectors Award-Coconut Grove Art Festival
1992- Collectors Award- Coconut Grove Art Festival
1987- Purchase Award- Festival of the Masters
1985- 3rd Place- Banyan Arts Festival
1984- Merit Award- Lakeshore Art Association
1983- 1st Place 100th Anniversary Art Contest
1979- 1st Place- Beaux Art Festival
1974- 1st Place- Key West Art Festival
1973- 2nd Place- Key West Art Festival
1972- 1st Place- Key West Art Festival
1965- 1st Place- New York City Art Festival