I began painting Turkish flowers after traveling to Istanbul in 2006, taking inspiration from the beautiful Iznik Ottoman tiles of the 16th century and the gorgeous Suzani tapestries found in the marketplaces of Turkey. 

I studied the art of drawing Turkish Anatolian florals for years and returned to Turkey many times to visit the palaces and mosques famous for their ornamentation and beautiful tiles. 

In 2012 I began creating my own designs, integrating the elements of Ottoman art, and now create custom designs and palettes for my clients. 

In 2014 I was commissioned by an organization that operates a safe house based in Athens, Greece that offers a long-term recovery program (three to seven years) for women and their children who have been or are at high risk of sexual exploitation or trafficking. 

The program is designed to guide survivors into full rehabilitation and reintegration into society. This organization asked me to create three large mandalas for the bedrooms of their safe house that would convey beauty, worth, and growth. 

I was commissioned again by them in 2017 to create a floral for their offices that captured the colors of a Greek sunset and incorporated the Greek letter Delta, which is part of their logo. 

Then in 2019 they commissioned a mandala for their new building “in the colors of the earth” that would “show the hope we have for the future of these women in recovery and reintegration.” 

I’m honored to support these women and this wonderful organization by traveling at least twice a year to Greece to serve the women in this organization, teaching life skills and developing relationships. 

The proceeds from my art go toward helping me fulfill my commitment to serve in Athens, and my goal is to go multiple times a year for as long as I am able. If you would like to know more about this amazing organization, please check out my blog.  

My art business has been designated as a "Trusted Art Seller" with The Art Storefronts Organization, which means you can shop with confidence, and know that I stand behind the quality and value of my products.

Vicki