Alex Eisenzopf
A serial sketcher growing up, Alex Eisenzopf got his first formal instruction at a local community college, eventually transferring to Pratt Institute in New York City. Eisenzopf spent most of the years since college working in commercial art and illustration and traveled extensively in Asia and Europe overseeing product design and development for major corporate clients. Now a full time artist, Eisenzopf has spent the last five years renewing his drawing skills, further developing his style and technique and attending plein air events. He lives with his artist wife in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.
Biography
A serial sketcher growing up, Alex Eisenzopf got his first formal instruction at a local community college, eventually transferring to Pratt Institute in New York City. The atmosphere there was vibrant and competitive, although most instructors favored spontaneity over composition and technique. There were bright spots but he learned as much from the work of other students.
Pratt burned through his bankroll quick-like and after just a year and a half he transferred to Vassar. The studio art program there was tiny, but the college had a first-rate art collection and Art History department. He learned much about composition, if not how to mix paint or apply it to canvas.
Eisenzopf spent most of the years since college working in commercial art, illustration and product design. “I grew up believing it wasn’t possible to make a living as a fine artist, so I never apologized for being a commercial artist. I like to eat.”
Now a full time fine artist, he spends his time renewing his drawing and painting skills, attending plein air events and building a body of work. Drawing remains his first love and undergirds his work. “Drawing adds structure and dynamism. But what drives me is art with meaning- saying something about the world around us, or creating something from nothing. It makes art worth doing”.
The artist garnered 19 awards in the 23 events he has participated in since starting in 2022. He lives with his artist wife in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.
• 2025, Out of the Box Award, Cape Ann Plein Air
• 2025, Best Abstract, Litchfield Plein Air
• 2025, Historic Downtown Award, Paint Annapolis, Annapolis
• 2025, First Place, Southeastern Pastel Society, members exh.
• 2024, Out of the Box Award, Cape Ann Plein Air
• 2024, Best Waterfront, Suffolk Plein Air
• 2024, First Place, Knoxville Plein Air
• 2024, First Place, Southeastern Pastel Society, Members Show
Artist Statement
Although I love to paint, my first love is drawing, and drawing drives my work. It’s not just structure- it adds power and dynamism. But what drives me is art with meaning- interpreting from life or creating from nothing. It doesn’t mean every painting tells a literal story, but I think art should suggest meaning. If I’ve succeeded you’ll be drawn below the surface of the painting. It’s a meaningful and worthy challenge.
In my few years in plein air I’m pleased to have won several firsts at competitive events.