It's a Duck!
Artist: Diane Blakely – Kelowna, British Columbia
Medium: Indian Ink on Watercolour Paper
Original Artwork
It's a Duck! is a wonderfully imaginative and delightfully unexpected original work by Kelowna artist Diane Blakely, demonstrating how nature, artistic interpretation and a little humour can come together to create something truly memorable.
The inspiration for this piece began with a photograph Diane took while exploring the remarkable landscape of the Superstition Mountains outside Phoenix, Arizona. Captivated by the natural patterns, contrasts and movement within the scene, she set out to reinterpret the image through her distinctive artistic style.
What emerged was something rather surprising.
At the centre of the composition, a beautiful white duck appears to glide through swirling waters, its brilliant white body standing out dramatically against a rich, almost black background. Delicate shades of silver, soft grey and pale blue flow around the bird, creating intricate patterns that suggest the movement of water, shifting reflections and the ever-changing shapes found in nature.
The composition is particularly striking in its simplicity. Blakely uses a restrained colour palette and carefully controlled Indian ink lines to create an extraordinary sense of movement. The surrounding water appears almost abstract, its sweeping curves and layered patterns contrasting beautifully with the clean, elegant silhouette of the duck.
But perhaps the most charming aspect of this artwork is the story behind its title.
As Diane worked on the painting, fellow artists watching its progress repeatedly assumed she was creating a flower. The unfolding white shape, surrounded by sweeping organic forms, seemed to suggest delicate petals rather than a bird.
Diane, however, knew exactly what she was painting.
It's a duck!
And with that, the artwork found its wonderfully playful name.
That moment of mistaken identity speaks to something particularly engaging about Blakely's work. Her paintings often invite viewers to look beyond the obvious, discover unexpected forms and recognize that art can be interpreted differently depending on the person experiencing it.
There is a lovely balance between elegance and humour in It's a Duck! The composition is sophisticated and contemporary, yet its title brings an immediate smile. It reminds us that art need not always be serious to be meaningful, and that some of the most memorable works are those that encourage curiosity, conversation and a second look.
The result is an original artwork that is both visually captivating and wonderfully approachable—a piece that would be equally at home in a contemporary living space, professional office or thoughtfully curated collection.
At Peachland Village Art Studio, we are proud to showcase exceptional British Columbia artists whose creativity and individuality bring something distinctive to our gallery. Diane Blakely's It's a Duck! beautifully reflects that philosophy, combining inspiration from the natural world, accomplished artistic technique and a delightful sense of humour.
A beautiful reminder that art is often about seeing things differently—and sometimes, despite what everyone else thinks, a duck really is just a duck!
