In tribute: Prolific painter was lifetime artist

CLOVIS — Genevieve Seifert started painting as a child outside Clovis and kept at it passionately for much of the next 80 years.

"Knowing Ginnie, she's probably in heaven telling God exactly what colors he should have in the sunset or the mountains, or anything else she could give advice on," said Lois Snyder, one of her long-time friends.

Seifert died April 3 in Clovis at age 93.

She was born in the Center community, south of Clovis, and stayed local her whole life, friends said. Yet one might say she traveled extensively through her artwork, putting the world into her paintings — although she did favor Southwest landscapes.

A charter member of the Pintores Art League, she shared her talent across competition entries and portraits of loved ones.

"Basically, she was one of the best members of Pintores that we ever had. Always exhibiting in every art show that we ever put on, always won prizes and lots of times Best of Show," Snyder said. "She was a very good artist. I don't think that she ever painted anything that wasn't good."

Her brother Wandel Massey, 91, described her as "friendly and energetic," the latter made clear by her prolific output.

Another of her old friends said Seifert's drive to constantly make new paintings was remarkable, but familiar to many artists.

"If you've ever painted, it gets in your blood, and it's just something you have to do," said Jackie Hinderliter. "You have to keep something going all the time."

Hinderliter estimated Seifert's output in the millions — a hyperbole, but a well-suited one.

In her obituary, Seifert's family requested donations to a charity of choice or the Pintores Art League Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers. She is survived by two sons, two brothers, five grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.