Artist Eva Iooss grew up surrounded by rolling dunes and tulip fields in North Holland. She moved to the United States in 1972 and studied botanical painting at the New York Botanical Gardens, as well as in England with renowned botanical painter Anne Marie Evans. Today, Iooss lives in Montauk where she continues to create and be inspired by her garden.
On her website you can find a collection of artwork created over the years, available as archival pigment print reproductions of original hand-painted watercolors, all with museum quality framing.
Her collection depicts stunning images of botanicals, fruits and vegetables, birds, and animals. We caught up with the artist to learn more.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I was born and raised in North Holland on the outskirts of a small seaside town. I grew up playing in the dunes, always surrounded by nature. My parents loved to garden. We travelled to France, Italy, or Spain on vacations and they would dig up unknown plants and see if they would grow in our garden in Holland. So over the years, I did the same! I pulled out a few Helianthus along a road in Montauk 30 years ago, and now have a huge field that keeps on spreading.
Growing up close to all those tulip fields left an imprint on me. My great grandparents owned tulip fields. Flowers, botanicals, gardening, and painting are in my blood. It brings me full circle with who I am and connects me to my roots. My dad painted as a hobby.
I came to the U.S in 1972. I met my husband, Walter Iooss, a sports photographer in New York; we married in 1975, have two sons, Christian and Bjorn, two daughters-in-laws, and two grandchildren.
Tell us about your watercolor prints.
My son and I picked out 30 artworks and had them scanned and printed by Griffin Editions, a premier printing facility in New York. It was a complex and costly process; I had to keep it at thirty pieces for now. I am thrilled with how the prints turned out. They are available on my website.
What about Montauk inspires you and your artwork?
I love Montauk and the Montauk community. I take hikes every day; there are many preserved lands, trails, and beaches. Montauk gives me quiet — we live hidden away. I love my studio space, listen to my playlists and collage, paint, and let my mind wander a bit.
The light is beautiful, especially the low winter light is a constant show for me. We are surrounded by water on all sides. It is a unique, beautiful, an inspiring place to live!
You studied botanical painting at the New York Botanical Gardens. Talk a little about that experience.
I will never forget the day I walked into the school at the Bronx Botanical Garden. My heart skipped a beat! I knew I was going to take every course they offered in botanical drawing and painting. What a wonderful place. I was very fortunate to have a renowned and wonderful visiting teacher from London’s Key Gardens, Anne Marie Evans. It is with her I did my two-year independent certificate of study. I spent weeks at her manor house outside of London drawing and painting from 9 to 5 with students from all over the world, under her watchful eye.
Where can we find your prints?
Right now, my prints are only available on my website evaiooss.com.
