What Collectors Are Saying...
"I’ve followed Sean’s work...
for many years and finished my house in 2019 when I finally met him in person. His art brought the finishing touches needed to complete my house. His eye for photography, detail, and finishing is unmatched."
Lowell A. Zimmer
Zimmer Development Company
"Sean Ruttkay has a gift for finding...
beauty in the water that is all around us and the world we live in. Many people who come into the DA’s Office have experienced great trauma and need to see that there is still hope in a dark time. Sean’s artwork hangs alone in the conference room of our office where we meet individuals and families and offer them hope as we seek to get justice in their cases."
Benjamin R. David
New Hanover & Pender County District Attorney North Carolina Prosecutorial District 6
"Far more than a superlative waterman…
Everyone in the surfing community respects Sean for his humanity and his artwork. Sean has been my favorite artist for more than a decade and I have collected 23 of his pieces for my home, my office, and the homes of friends that I love.
His work is the perfect addition to my aquariums. It never gets old. That’s the best way I can put it.
My favorites are his abstract works from the seafloor looking up while a wave breaks just above his perspective in the water. Can’t say enough about these pieces. Quality is top-notch, indoors and out. Time tested and cuz approved. Sells itself."
Austin Yeargan, III, MD
We have been purchasing art from Sean for 10 years now...
and for multiple homes. His pieces bring a sense of beauty and peace into our home. We have memories tied to all of the pieces he has done for us and he always makes it a personal experience for everyone”
Kimberly Batten
Executive Director at The Eshelman Foundation
"Sean definitely lives up to his mantra bringing ‘water to the wall’...
I love having a piece of the beach greet me each morning when I walk into my office.
Nan Thompson Howard
Eshelman Ventures
"When we settled in Wilmington three years ago, I found myself…
When we settled in Wilmington three years ago, I found myself exploring Wrightsville Beach and particularly The Lighthouse’s outdoor area. It was there I first encountered the mesmerizing water art displays signed by a certain Ruttkay. A quick search led me to Global Surf, a hub connecting water enthusiasts worldwide, and there I found him: Sean Ruttkay, a local artist of my new home.
Meeting Sean was like reconnecting with a long-lost brother. Instantly, our conversation flowed freely, and I knew an incredible new friendship had begun. Upon meeting his family, it was evident that Sean and Cornelia were exemplary parents, a trait I deeply admire.
Now, our Wilmington Beach home is adorned with four classic Ruttkay pieces—each a treasured addition. Observing Sean’s meticulous installation process, I was particularly struck by his dedication to family, illustrated by a poignant pause to talk with his father during our setup.
Sean’s influence extended to our daughters, who now also display his work, and even to my social media habits—I joined Instagram just to follow his inspiring journey. His work ethic is as admirable as his artistry, which continues to grace the halls of UNCW, his alma mater, in a daily testament to his legacy.
Recently, I had the privilege of joining Sean at a Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser. Witnessing the community’s love for him and the prominence of his art throughout the event only solidified my view of him as a true rock star.
Thank you, Sean, for enriching my family’s life, and for being a brother in spirit. My support for you and your family is unwavering, today and always."
Kevin Gannon
Coerver Soccer
I have numerous pieces by Sean D. Ruttkay that radiate a coastal ambiance.
We’re passionate about supporting local artists. I have numerous pieces by Sean D. Ruttkay that radiate a coastal ambiance. They beautifully enhance both our indoor and outdoor spaces. His work is versatile; even the piece on my back deck has withstood the elements for years!”
Erin Hogston
Realtor - Strategic Partnerships & Consulting
"We are in awe of Sean’s talent…
We are in awe of Sean’s talent and feel honored and proud to display his works of art in our home and office. We have his photographs in every patient room and gathering area. His beautiful pieces set the tone when entering the room and have a calming effect on our patients. We particularly love the pieces we have purchased for our outdoor entertainment area. Sean is always pleasant and professional."
Greg and Ruth Viehman
Seacoast Skin Surgery
"Unique Perspective Capturing The Essence of Our Area
EDA Surf has completed several pieces for our offices at Intracoastal Realty beautifully decorating our spaces in the office. Our agents, staff and clients constantly comment on Sean’s work.
Additionally, I have purchased Sean’s work for my home. It is a beautiful addition to our home.
Sean’s work is unique and demonstrates his love for the coast and the environment. Everyone should have one of his pieces in the office and at home. They transport you directly into the picture.
David James Small
Intracoastal Realty
"When I stare at EDA Surf’s...
many pieces in my house and in the businesses that I frequent, I am always brought back to the moment I envision Sean was in, when he took the photo. Whether it’s board riding a wave, or wiping out while trying, I have seen the view – the perspective – that his photos portray. Those moments in the ocean are the places of some of my greatest challenges; even in a wipeout, the outcome is successful: time spent with nature is always better than time not spent in nature, and that is something that Sean’s art reminds us all. From stocking stuffer drink coasters to the glamorous wall pieces he’s installed across the land, Sean’s art stands apart from all the other water photography. Do yourself a favor and ‘Water the Wall’!
John Scull, MBA
Public Safety Professional
"We have Sean’s art in our home and in my office.
All are visually stunning, but also calming with the colors and the memories they bring back of places incredibly special to me. Very thankful for Sean’s work and vision."
Chris Spivey
Chris Spivey Real Estate
"Being able to have Sean’s art...
on the wall in my office not only feeds my daily need for the ocean, it allows me to share that feeling with anyone who stops by. It is a fixture for my sanity."
Shawn Spencer
Transportation Operations Manager at UNCW
"Our Life’s a Beach.
We have lived around the ocean almost my entire life; I’ve been surfing for over 48 years. Salt water runs in our veins. We have passed our passion on to our kids and they to theirs. Continued generations committed to the care of Mother Ocean… We have two (for now) of Sean’s magnificent pictures in our home. Nobody captures the magic like him!"
Bob & Suzanne Milstead
Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)
"As a childhood friend, I’ve known Sean’s passion
and love for the ocean since he was an adolescent. When I purchased one of his works of art, I was struck by not only the beauty of the image but also of Sean’s appreciation for and ability to capture every element – the texture and composition of the ocean wave and the light dancing off the water droplets. It was magnificent."
Tenaya Britton
"We have 4 different pieces of Sean’s...
work in my home. I love the colors and beautiful images. They are the statement piece and focal point of the room. They complement my home decor and bring a calming feel to the space. The soothing imagery of water is something I enjoy very much. I also like that several of the images are from the oceans in the city we live in. He does great quality work and is a pleasure to work with."
Annette & Tom Clifford
Without Limits
"Our first “Ruttkay” piece came from a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation fundraiser...
called Pipeline to a Cure; Sean had generously donated his art to the silent auction and we fell in love when we saw it. We won the bid and since then our “walls have been watered” with five amazing pieces of art from Sean. Our family loves the ocean and water in general, and having it inside on our walls every day helps us feel connected to the calm and tranquil feeling water brings. Sean’s passion for the ocean and zest for life shines through in each piece and we get so many compliments from friends and guests.
Thank you, Sean, for sharing your passion with others and supporting so many wonderful causes in our community.
Holly, CT, Ani & IV Shaw
"The peaceful, calming, powerful and healing nature of water is exemplified through Sean’s art photography.
Over a decade ago, while witnessing Sean’s swimming sessions at the YWCA Lower Cape Fear, I was introduced to his profound artwork and deep connection with water. Sean generously donated a piece to our Fluid Recovery/Flow Motion program, a water fitness initiative for breast cancer survivors. Drawing from their experiences, Sean’s artwork served as a beacon of inspiration, especially during the land segments of their classes.
My wife, Katie, and I were so moved by Sean’s portrayal of water in its myriad forms that we chose one of his pieces for our daughter’s nursery—a serene representation of a sunrise against a calm ocean. A testament to its tranquility, the artwork remains in her room, eight years later. Subsequently, we acquired a vivid piece of a crashing wave that Sean had contributed to a YWCA fundraiser. Our most recent acquisition, inspired by a mesmerizing photo Sean shared on Facebook, depicts a moonlit ocean with dunes and sea oats in the forefront. This triptych masterpiece now adorns a wall in our new home. Interestingly, the new occupants of our previous home were keen to purchase it, but its deep significance to us led us to retain it.
A heartfelt thank you to Sean for “Watering the Walls” of our lives and the community. His passion and reverence for water are both evident and infectious."
Warm regards,
Lance, Katie, Cora, and Elise Tate.
"Sean’s artwork masterfully captures...
the beauty of nature, transporting its vibrancy indoors. Adorning both my business and home with his pieces has been transformative, as they effortlessly shift the ambiance of any space. Truly, each piece offers a mesmerizing window into artistic brilliance."
Fozz
Radio Host Z1075 fm, and Owner Revival Laser & Skin Clinic
"Sean’s water-inspired artwork gracing my office is genuinely enchanting.
Its tranquil beauty and fluid charm not only command my gaze but also foster a calming ambiance conducive to creativity and productivity. It’s more than just art; it’s a daily source of inspiration that elevates my workspace. Water the Wall!”
Andrew Feldman
Founder and CEO of hyrup
The pieces I possess from EDA Surf aren’t merely stunning visuals on my wall
—they encapsulate moments that resonate with calm, gratitude, and inspiration. These landscapes evoke deep significance for me, filling me with positivity with each glance I take. They echo challenges I’ve overcome, nature’s splendor, and the daily blessings of life.
Keith Nelson
Captin Wrightsville Beach Fire Department / USMC Retired
As a digital art aficionado...
I’m drawn to the comforting allure of water and azaleas, emblematic of time’s ceaseless passage. They signify how art connects the past, present, and future. Possessing the original piece from the festival feels like holding a perpetual link to the artist’s insight."
Justin Tilley,
SeaCoast Skin Surgery
