Eija painted her first oil painting before she was a teenager. It was one of those “ah-ha” moments when she knew she would continue to paint for the rest of her life.

Eija Heward was born in Finland but grew up in Ohio near a Finnish-American community. Still in her teens, her first paid commissions included painting murals on sauna walls. Her formal education led her to become a special needs teacher with a minor in art. She got her Masters degree from Bridgewater State College. She taught special needs children grades K through high school for private, collaborative, and public schools for some twenty years before becoming a full time artist. Her development as an artist included numerous workshops over the years to refine her skills. In the 1980s she took lessons from the nationally known seascape artist, Marshall Joyce of Kingston, MA. She studied in the New England School of Art and Design, Emerson College, and finally, business and mural workshops from Faux Like a Pro in Boston.

Eija’s work is representational, painterly, and traditional in style although on occasion she will do something quite unexpected. The subject matter varies greatly from local landscapes, seascapes, portraits, and children at play. Her work has been in many juried and one person shows throughout New England. Some include Scandinavian Living Center in West Newton, Abington Savings Bank of Kingston, Rockland Library, Marion Arts Center, also in Ohio, and Ylistaro, Finland. She shows in festivals in the area and at local art associations. She is a board member of the Bumpus Gallery in Duxbury, has illustrated for the town of Duxbury, and the Duxbury Garden Club. Presently she is an active member of artist and writer groups and the local cultural counsel.

Eija is currently working on several illustrated children’s stories, and is actively writing an autobiographical memoir of her Finnish-American roots. She is a published writer.

Stained glass is another passion. Mostly she creates her own patterns. One of her favorite motifs is a star which incorporates antique tea plates. The plate is unharmed as she creates around it with stunning results. Click here to see her gallery of work.