Not Playing Small original floral collage by Sandra Gale, featuring fiery orange flowers in a turquoise vase, hanging unframed on a white wall.
Original mixed media artwork with red, orange and burgundy flowers, pink buds, cream checkerboard background and patterned turquoise vase.
Angled view of Not Playing Small showing the 38 mm cradled plywood board and painted paper collage surface.
Side view of Sandra Gale original floral artwork showing the natural varnished plywood edge and ready-to-hang finish.
Not Playing Small original floral collage by Sandra Gale, featuring fiery orange flowers in a turquoise vase, hanging unframed on a white wall.
Original mixed media artwork with red, orange and burgundy flowers, pink buds, cream checkerboard background and patterned turquoise vase.
Angled view of Not Playing Small showing the 38 mm cradled plywood board and painted paper collage surface.
Side view of Sandra Gale original floral artwork showing the natural varnished plywood edge and ready-to-hang finish.

“Not Playing Small” Original Still Life by Sandra Gale

$950.00
Only 1 available

40.6 × 50.8 × 3.8 cm | Mixed media acrylic paint and paper collage on cradled plywood board | Unframed, ready to hang

Big, fiery flowers, a turquoise vase covered in patterns and a checked background.

She's done standing on the sidelines, and she's got something to say! A colourful character to keep you company at home.

40.6 × 50.8 × 3.8 cm | Mixed media acrylic paint and paper collage on cradled plywood board | Unframed, ready to hang

Big, fiery flowers, a turquoise vase covered in patterns and a checked background.

She's done standing on the sidelines, and she's got something to say! A colourful character to keep you company at home.

🖼️ One-of-a-Kind Original
🌈 Handmade in Australia
🪵 Unframed varnished edge
🚚 Free Shipping Australia-wide

  • What it holds

    Fiery red, orange and burgundy flowers rise above a turquoise vase, with pink buds and green leaves filling the spaces between them.

    Inspired by Australian native flowers, these blooms have taken on a life of their own, with flame-shaped petals that reach towards the edges of the artwork.

    If Not Playing Small walked into a room, she'd be ready to join the conversation. She's got opinions, she's happy to share them, and she's perfectly okay with the fact that not everyone will agree.

    Story & inspiration

    This composition has been evolving through several of my artworks, starting with The Sweetest Moments, then Life Is Sweet and Not Here to Play Small, which sold at the Melbourne Flower Show.

    I love returning to familiar shapes and seeing how differently they turn out each time.

    For this version, I played with the patterns on the turquoise sugar-bowl-shaped vase, the cream checkerboard background and the earthy burgundy tabletop.

    The flowers are loosely inspired by Australian natives, but they're mostly from my imagination. I love working with these repeating shapes, and the painted papers and ink marks mean no two versions are ever quite alike.

    Where it lives best

    At 40.6 × 50.8 cm, this original would work beautifully above a kitchen coffee station, beside a desk or on a bedroom wall.

    The turquoise vase and warm reds give you plenty of colours to pick up in your room, while the 38 mm varnished edge means it can hang straight on the wall without needing a frame.

    • Those fiery flowers bring colour and energy to the spaces you use every day.

    • Her confident personality is a reminder that you don't have to make yourself smaller to keep everyone else comfortable.

    • The turquoise vase and warm burgundy tones give you plenty of options when styling your room.

    • The patterns and ink marks add details to discover whenever you stop for a closer look.

    • The finished timber edge lets you enjoy an original artwork on your wall without needing to organise framing.

    • Title: Not Playing Small

    • Medium: Original mixed media acrylic paint and paper collage on cradled plywood board

    • Size: 40.6 × 50.8 × 3.8 cm

    • Frame: Unframed | ready to hang | 38 mm board edge is varnished for a clean look

    • Orientation: Portrait

    • Finish: Signed, professionally finished for longevity, and ready to hang

    • One of a kind, original artwork by Australian artist Sandra Gale

  • Australia
    Free shipping from South Australia. Every artwork is carefully packed with protective materials to ensure it arrives in perfect condition, ready to hang. All original art requires a signature on delivery for security.

    International
    Shipping is calculated at checkout. Most orders arrive within 2–4 weeks of dispatch. Your artwork will be professionally packed to gallery standards. Any taxes, duties, or import fees are the responsibility of the buyer (please check your local rules).

    Returns & Damage Policy
    I don’t accept returns on original artworks for change of mind, but I’m happy to create a free digital mock-up of how the piece could look in your space before you buy. Just email me a photo of your wall.

    If your artwork arrives damaged in transit, please contact me straight away and I’ll make it right. Every artwork is fully insured during shipping so you can purchase with confidence. To process a claim, I’ll need:

    • Photos of the damaged packaging before opening

    • Photos of the artwork inside the packaging, with the damage visible

    This helps me lodge a quick claim with the courier so we can resolve it smoothly.

Artist’s Note

I keep coming back to this composition because I really enjoy making these flowers and playing with the patterns on the vase. I love how the turquoise works against those fiery colours, and how each new version turns out a bit differently. This one's got quite a strong personality, and I think she's ready to make herself heard!

Sandra x