Watercolor and ink 11 3/4 x 15 3/4 in. (sight), 20 x 23 in. (framed). Emily Czaja was one of the few people who can claim to be a life-long native of Bellport, Long Island, since most of Bellport's residents are transplants from Manhattan, other Long Island towns, or far away places. She was also one of Long Island's overlooked artists, a self-taught, natural master with a pen, as her hand glided effortlessly across a page creating intricate illustrations of Long Island landscapes as well as fanciful images drawn straight from her own inventiveness. In addition to her fantastic pen and ink drawings, she was also a distinguished watercolorist, proficiently melding colors and ink to create gorgeous still lifes and landscapes.As a youngster of 10, Emily was always drawing. Her father was a "designer," which back at in the early 20th century meant that he designed and painted the interiors of luxurious homes. These are not the simple paint jobs we are accustomed to seeing in modern homes, but involved the hand-drawn filigree and ornate decoration we admire in historical estates. Her Uncle Charlie was a draftsman who worked in Brooklyn. While visiting Uncle Charlie on the weekends involved a 5-hour car ride from Bellport to Brooklyn back in those days, her family was close, and they made the trip often. He used colored pencils in his work and when they wore down, he'd give them to Emily. During her entire childhood, she was surrounded by artistic and creative figures who inspired her, instilling an interest in drawing and coloring pictures.Later at Bellport High School, Emily took all the art classes she could and had great teachers. She was surrounded by artistic peers, studying with George Tooker, who would go on to become one of the most celebrated of the Magic and Social Realism painters. As a young lady, she was asked to create many of the posters for school and church events, projects which she would continue to accept throughout her long life in Bellport. After graduation, Emily continued taking lessons from various local artists and teachers, and experimenting with different drawing styles and mediums, including stained glass pieces and lamp shades.A turning point came later after Emily was married. A local artist and friend, Jodie Love, knew the great watercolor artist, Ed Whitney and arranged for him to give some lessons during the summer. Emily was hooked! It was with watercolor that she found her niche. She began exhibiting her paintings around the South Shore of Long Island at many art associations, churches, banks, and libraries. She won countless awards for her art-show entries. As one of the original members of the South Bay Art Association and her membership in the Wet Paints of Sayville, Emily met Henry Fukuhara, another important artist, who influenced her artistic style. She, and her artistic peers, painted all over the North and South Shores of Long Island. Like the artist colonies before them, they also took group trips to New England, including Rockport and many seaside destinations in Connecticut and Massachusetts to sketch and paint.Emily was an avid golfer and was a fixture at the Bellport Golf and Country Club for many years. Her art work was selected to grace the Woman's Golf League's annual fundraising calendar many times. She also published a number of coloring books based on her whimsical designs. For years, Emily was Bellport's official historian, a volunteer position, because of her intimate, enduring knowledge of the area and its many residents.Until her death in 2013, she continued to draw and paint, filling countless sketch books with her musings. Her art is highly collectible and graces the walls of many Bellport and area residences.Written and submitted by Lisette Ruch who interviewed the artist.

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