Polly Seip knew at an early age that she wanted to be a maritime artist. The romance of the sea was celebrated in the home she grew up in. Originals and prints by renowned marine artists Jack Spurling, Montague Dawson, and especially John Stobart all influenced her artistic aspirations. In 1994, she met Stobart, and it was his recommendation that she pursue a classical art education at the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, in Old Lyme, CT. She began her studies at Lyme Academy in 1996 and graduated with a BFA in 2000. Her love of the coast and the vessels that cruise the waters inspired Polly to create a series of "Binocular" paintings. Polly paints these standing on the Connecticut shoreline with a pair of binoculars around her neck recording the marine activity that characterizes the New England coast. These oils measure from 16 x 70 inches to 20 x 72 inches – the dimensions relating to the experience of scanning the horizon to find commercial and pleasure craft that are the subjects of her paintings. Polly’s paintings have been shown at The Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, The Lyme Art Association, The Mystic Art Center, The Essex Savings Bank of Essex, and The Cuttyhunk Historical Society. Awards:2020 – Lyme Art Association, First Place Award ‘Twilight Romance’2019 – Lyme Art Association, Second Place Award ‘Wayfinder‘2019 – Lyme Art Association, Second Place Award ‘Colorful Chase’2016 – Lyme Art Association, People’s Choice Award ‘The Swimmers’1996 - Silver Medal in Drawing ‘Bedtime Friends’Education: Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. 2000. BFA.Current Memberships:American Society of Marine ArtistsLyme Art AssociationScholarships/Grants:2019 - The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation 2003 – The Stacey Scholarship Fund. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.