Biography

Ilze Sims is a self-taught multimedia artist living on the lush Hamakua Coast of Hawai‘i Island. Her work is a vibrant celebration of color, texture, and emotion deeply rooted in the natural beauty and cultural richness of her island home. Drawing inspiration from the dramatic landscapes around her: towering waterfalls, dense tropical jungles, colorful coral reefs, and the ever-present power of an active volcano, Ilze creates abstract art that feels alive, layered, and full of soul.

Originally from South Africa, Ilze’s creative journey has been anything but ordinary. A lifelong dreamer, she set sail from Cape Town on a whim and never looked back. That spontaneous leap led to a decade-long voyage around the world, during which she crossed oceans, explored remote islands, and ultimately found  a new home in Hawai‘i. This sense of adventure and trust in life’s unfolding is a spirit that pulses through her work. For Ilze, every painting is a kind of voyage; an exploration of color, emotion, and the unseen forces that shape our lives.

Ilze’s art is known for its rich layering and unexpected combinations of materials. She often blends raw construction materials like plaster with acrylics and oils and delicate metal leaf, creating a visual language that bridges the organic and the luminous. Her style is influenced by the multicultural tapestry of the Pacific and Asia:  a fusion of traditions, textures, and philosophies that resonates deeply with her own life experience. The result is work that feels both grounded and otherworldly, personal and universal.

At the heart of Ilze’s creative process is a desire to evoke feeling and ignite imagination. Her abstract compositions don’t dictate a narrative, instead they invite the viewer to find their own meaning. Whether it’s the shimmer of gold leaf catching the light like ocean sun, or the bold brushstrokes that echo the movement of wind through trees, her pieces are meant to be felt as much as they are seen.

Ilze believes in the power of dreams and the quiet magic that happens when we follow them. Her artwork is a reflection of that belief - a visual reminder that beauty is everywhere, that we are all connected, and that the world is full of wonder for those willing to look. Through her art, Ilze Sims offers a window into the emotional and spiritual landscapes she navigates every day: a celebration of place, possibility, and the joy of creative expression.

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