Jennifer Peck – Joyful Art, Coastal Collage
Jennifer Peck (b. 1967 Houston, Tx.) is a mixed media artist who constructs intricately detailed multilayered works of art, mostly out of paint and paper, with an array of other dimensional materials. Her love for coastal life inspired a recent move from Texas to the shores of Sarasota, Florida where the Gulf Coast’s beaches provide fresh inspiration. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Colorado, followed by an adventurous career directing galleries from San Francisco to Austin, she’s been exposed to an immense amount of art and ever since she has been experimenting to develop work that is authentic and unique.
After ten years operating Peck Arts gallery in Texas, she’s prioritized the creative side of an artist’s life, and now creates in her home studio. She exhibits her work in the best juried fine art fairs surrounding the Florida Coast. Jennifer has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout Texas and Florida, and is in private and public collections across the United States. Her joyful mixed media works are filled with stunning colors, fascinating textures, and playful whimsy. They celebrate the beauty of coastal living and tell a story of life at the beach!
“I love being outdoors! Observing birds, palms, flowers, and life along the coast is where the seeds of all my ideas originate, of which there are many! I have always been in awe of the ocean; its timelessness, energy, and simplicity. By the sea and under bright skies is when I feel most alive and inspired. To embrace that feeling and then express it in the studio is my intention. Each piece I create starts with a painted background. The carefully selected papers are ripped or hand-cut, then layered and collaged. This labor-intensive process involves constructing pieces with a variety of unique papers I’ve collected throughout my life.”
“Through the paper, I can offer attention to detail with a playful twist. The paper often contains text or small pictures that provide something thought-provoking, and threads of metallic papers that shine add life to the pieces. I regularly hear that my work makes people happy, and it gives me such satisfaction to be the conduit of that emotion for them. The best part of being an artist is that I feel like I can give back to life, through my work, by spreading joy to the people who view it. I hope my pieces ignite your sense of adventure and wonder of the sea, and that every home in which they hang is filled with peace and happiness.”
You’ll always see Steve supporting me at the shows, we’ve been a hardworking team for many years. He’s the guy behind the scenes at the art shows making it all happen. He drives the truck and pulls the trailer, sets up the tent and the walls, and even hangs the art; basically, he does all the hard lifting! When we’re not showing he stays busy packaging and shipping your pieces, and he’s available to help with all kinds of customers’ needs. Steve’s the one that takes the brunt of the effects of my late nights or hard days in the studio, but he always offers perspective and support. He’s authentically appreciative and excited about my work and gives me the space to do it.
Nadi Spencer is known for her colorist paintings, pet portraits and murals. Nadi’s goal is to capture her passion for nature and life with color. She has been a professional artist for 40 years, painting in watercolor and acrylics, and loving both. “It’s rejuvenating,” she says, “like changing the music from opera to rock.” Her vibrant, close-up watercolor views of animals and food represent a slice of the whole picture, which challenges you to look closer – to fill in the rest of the story. Nadi’s acrylic paintings range from landscapes of the Sierras to murals that tell a much broader story. When asked what inspires her, she says she has a strong emotional attachment to the foothills and mountains of the Sierra surrounding her 
Nestled in the high desert terrain of Santa Fe, William Haskell creates visually distinctive work that reflects his passion for diversified landscapes of the West. Whether uniquely capturing weathered adobe structures, mesas or emotionally charged tornadoes, his focus on detail defies description. The viewer is intimately drawn to each painting, emotionally connecting to the power displayed over the entire panel. With the use of his original dry brush style, William Haskell takes acrylic to an entirely different level. Often featured and quoted in the most esteemed art magazines, Haskell is passionate about preserving historic villages and rural landscapes using his own contemporary style. It is for this reason his evocative work is sought after by collectors around the world.
Steve was born in Bristol, England in 1960, his father was a member of the Royal Air Force so Steve grew up in such places as England, Germany and Cyprus, always with a sketchbook in hand. He received his first commission at the age of 12 and at the age of 19 he too joined the Royal Air Force training as a photographer using all formats of camera. This training enabled Steve to later travel to places like Africa, Canada and North America, both sketching and taking photos to a professional standard, which gave him quality material to work from.
Harry Wysocki, (A.F.P.A.A.), was prominent on the American art scene for many years. He was born in a Polish-American neighborhood in Detroit and later moved to Los Angeles, where he graduated from Art Center College of Design. Shortly after the end of World War II, Harry enlisted in the Merchant Marines and sailed the high seas to exotic ports, which became subject matter for his early works. In Japan he was commissioned to paint the History of the Army Airborne Engineers, which he executed in a series of six murals. Working with Japanese artists, he was inspired by the art of Hiroshige, whose influence is apparent in his early works. After returning home from Japan, he started experimenting with art nouveau and art deco styles.
Catherine has been painting since 1979. Although she began with oils, a six week class in acrylics prompted her to switch mediums. She has taught her style of painting in classes throughout the United States and Canada. Catherine is also the author of four decorative painting books including Charming Village Scenes You Can Paint with North Light Books.
Dave’s realistic painting style comes from a lifetime of observing nature first hand. His love of all things wild translate into evocative images meticulously rendered to capture the intricacies of the animals and their world.
Dean Morrissey (1951-2021)