The gift of life

Artist Marie Peacey has tried her hand at more things than we can list here, but one thing is constant – her desire to live with passion

Story Katrine Anker-Nilssen

Marie Peacey is nothing short of wonderful. She’s creative, quirky, caring and full of life. When I walk into her warm and beautifully decorated home in Le Domaine, bursting with her exquisite art, she makes me a cup of soothing rooibos tea after spraying colloidal silver down my throat to stop my cough, and promises to be my daughter’s spare granny through Saturday art lessons.

Born in Prince Albert on Christmas Eve almost 76 years ago, Marie met the love of her life, Basil, when she was 18. “I was looking at his legs! He noticed and came over to introduce himself,” she laughs. A year later they got engaged and, when Marie was 20, Basil’s father, Bishop Peacey, married them.

After tying the knot, they worked hard for four years and saved every penny towards building their own house. “I was four months pregnant when we moved into our house in Durbanville. Within three and a half years, I had three beautiful girls: Janeke, Annabeth and Carina,” says Marie.

Clearly a natural mother, she claims it was much easier looking after seven toddlers than three, so she allowed all the neighbours’ little ones to come and play. “A patchwork blanket was our trampoline – nanny Katie and I would hold on to the four corners and bounce them up and down, one at a time. We painted, played with clay and cut out cardboard figures.”

Having travelled extensively, Marie explored Europe first. “I came back full of inspiration and applied new ideas to my art work.” Then there was South America. “Visiting the San Blas islands off the Panama coast, I discovered Mola work. The techniques were the same as I taught the Xhosa women in the Ciskei, and this discovery changed my life and inspired my first book,” explains Marie. Mola Applique With A Difference was followed by six more needle craft books.

Incredibly versatile in her art, there doesn’t seem to be anything Marie can’t do. From painting, clay work and fabric collages to tile and wood combined paintings, sculptures and much more. “For five years, I also had a full-time seamstress and we made ethnic, arty clothes for boutiques,” says Marie. “And then I love to paint murals, of course,” she adds. “I am a Jack of All Trades – Master of None.” Master of all, I’d say!

When Basil retired, they settled in Onrusrivier, where their beach cottage was known as the Tile House. “The entire house was covered with paintings on tiles, mostly from photographs I took during my travels,” explains Marie. Sadly, Basil passed away 13 years ago. “My husband was the best gift I could have had – he was quiet, calm and a stable rock in my life,” smiles Marie.

Four years ago, she moved to Durban to be closer to her three daughters. “It’s wonderful to see them over weekends and to keep in touch with my six grandchildren.”

Marie has settled into life at Le Domaine, leading a busy social life. “I give art classes here and absolutely love to share my knowledge. Art is my life, it’s an addiction to me,” she says. “I believe if you are not doing something, it is only because you don’t know what you want to do. Because you can do anything you want to do.”

Marie is as passionate about living as she is about her art. She will run outside should she see an old couple strolling by her house and shout: “You’re not going to have each other forever, so hold hands!”

“As much as my own life would be boring without art, I believe strongly that everyone should do some kind of creative work – it makes you more aware of everything around you,” she says.

Marie was one of 1 430 entries in this year’s Sanlam Portrait Awards. The judges selected 100 top paintings, of which 40 were chosen to be shown all over the country, as well as overseas. “The other 60 paintings were shown at the Michaellis Gallery in Cape Town, and I was lucky to fall into this group,” says Marie. “My picture was an appliqué of a young African boy leaning against a bin with his fist against his cheek. Shades and highlights were stitched on his clothing, face and the shacks in the background.”

Any advice to beginners who love art, but feel they have no talent? “The only important thing one needs is passion and willingness to practice. Start taking classes and practice drawing anything – a cup, a jug, a chair. If your work is slightly out of proportion, it is more likely to be admired as true art,” says Marie.