Suzie Seerey-Lester, b. Detroit, Michigan (United States)

Suzie Seerey-Lester was a professional diver for over 30 years.  As a Diving Instructor Trainer, Lester traveled around the world, as the first woman to teach diving, and license instructors.  While working for the CIA, she taught CIA Agents, Secret Service Agents, US Marshals, FBI Agents and other law enforcement personnel how to dive, perform search and recovery as well as other “specialized” skills. Traveling gave Suzie the opportunity to see extraordinary underwater creatures up close, which she captured in her earlier paintings.

Seerey-Lester now travels worldwide to paint, including the rainforest in Guatemala, Africa, England, Spain, Mexico, and Italy also nearer to home, Alaska, California, Florida, South and North Carolina, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and Maine. Seerey-Lester has expanded her artwork to include plein air.  Seerey-Lester is licensed by the State of Florida as Marine Turtle Rescue Personnel.  She walks the beach of Casey Key every morning from May until November, she verifies turtle nests, and helps rescue baby turtles when they hatch. Seerey-Lester received the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2008.  She has been working with the turtles since 2001.  In January 2000 Suzie married world-renowned wildlife artist, John Seerey-Lester, and her life has been an adventure ever since.  They live, work and play in Florida.