Still Life with Persimmon

I was a florist once and I still love creating interesting floral arrangements for my home...I am known for grabbing all sorts of things from the garden to add them. In this still life I have included two feathers, one from the characteristically Australian Kookaburra and one from the South African Guinea Fowl. Being from South Africa living in Australia, I thought this was a fitting combination. And of course the dried Protea which is from South Africa but it also found here.
To add to the symbolism of this painting, the two leafy branches in the background are from a Zanzibar Gem, the first plant my husband and I bought for our first home, which was symbolic of our engagement in Zanzibar. We still have that plant, 16 years later.
The colours I have chosen for this piece are vibrant and energetic and I love the combination of pink and orange and pinks with green. This would suit a black box frame to make a statement or an oak one for a more subtle feel.

Follow

I am Vicki Peck, creator and owner of Vicki Peck Art.
I have an absolute passion for all things art, including creating my own paintings, helping others find their creative talents through my art classes and helping people heal and grow through art therapy.

A little about me:
I have created art for as long as I can remember and come from a family of many artistic people. I studied art - painting & ceramics (my other passion) and majored in ceramic design but continued to paint along the way.
I am originally from South Africa and left in 2000 to broaden my horizons overseas. After spending quite a while in the U.K, I moved to Australia in 2005, with my now husband.

In the search to do something more creative work after being in an office while overseas, I decided to become a florist(another passion)…I studied and became a qualified florist and spent a few years doing this.
Then kids came along and my creativity got paused… and now I’m back to being creative in any way possible!
My little growing art business is still only a side hustle as I spend most of my time in an office job still, so life is pretty busy, but good busy!

Along with doing school holiday art classes, weekly senior art classes, commissions and doing my own painting, I am also now an art therapy practitioner and loving my time spent doing this each week.
For my paintings I predominantly use oils, but also absolutely love watercolours, and use this medium when I can give it the time it deserves.
My themes vary from landscapes, seascapes and still-lifes, and I love painting flowers! I paint from the heart and won’t paint something unless is feels right and makes me happy.