FEATURE - Creative companions

The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is known for being a source of artistic talent and creativity. In beautiful Yandina, it abounds. Some of the local talent celebrate their shared love of art through The Yandina Art Group.

by Rebecca Mugridge

The Yandina Art Group meets at the Yandina CWA Hall on Stevens Street, where they create exquisite pieces of art together.

One of the members, Shirley Almeta Lennon, had one of her paintings chosen by the public as the ‘best work’ at their recent exhibition at Pomona Railway Station Gallery - a captivating local, community-run gallery on Station Street in Pomona.

“I was thrilled to receive the People’s Choice award at Pomona,” says Almeta. 

“Not just to receive the award, but to know that my work appeals to the public. To me, that makes it all worthwhile, because that's what this series of paintings is all about. 

“I want to make people smile when they look at it. I want them to imagine the story behind the painting. I want them to enjoy the colour, and to go home remembering the work.”

Almeta’s art journey began in Year Four in primary school when she won an award in the local area art exhibition, which was held at Rockdale Town Hall. 

“By the second year of high school, I used to draw my friends’ portraits during library classes. Then, as a young mum, living in country Singleton in NSW, I began to learn porcelain art and after a year, taught for the next eight years. 

“I used to sell it via the local gift shop and those pieces that I didn’t consider worthy of signing or selling, I would keep in my ‘graveyard,’ Almeta remembers. 

“When friends would come to visit, the first thing they would ask was, could they visit the ‘graveyard’ and they’d inevitably walk out with something to keep. Now I see those graveyard pieces and wish I’d signed them!” 

When her family moved again, this time to Orange, she changed to another art form. “I began fabric painting and this was during the bicentennial year and so lots of T-shirts with koalas, emus, cockatoos.” 

Next it was watercolours. “This whetted my real art appetite,” she says. “I used to paint, sitting on the floor of our TV room, for want of a better place, and was lucky enough to sell all that I did.” 

As happens to many people in creative pursuits for a period of time, life got in the way of her art until 2008, when they moved to the Sunshine Coast from Sydney. 

“By accident, my sister’s landlady helped me cut out a dress pattern and so, to thank her,

I did a painting of some frogs for her. That set off a chain reaction leading to several more paintings for family and friends. Eventually, I bought a canvas. This was the beginning for me.” 

Almeta says art is important to our lives and in our communities. 

“I believe that art can speak to the human soul in a way that words alone cannot. Historically, it existed before writing, and connects folk across nations, generation and beliefs, and speaks to the individuals' emotions. 

“To me, it captures life itself and invites everyone, no matter one's academic ability, to pause, reflect and feel. 

“Art, in any of its forms, can reflect the nature of the region, can involve all age groups to participate, and is not defined by its perceived excellence by judges. Art is 'judged' by the viewer and reaches out to the viewer. 

“Yandina, like many of our smaller communities, has an interesting history and scenery, and is inspiring for those artists who enjoy landscapes and plein air painting.”Art is known to rouse art, and Almeta shares some of her personal inspiration. 

“I am a real fan of Richard Schmidt. He is an oil painter whose work looks so loose but has all the detail that is necessary. I get frustrated when I look at his work because he makes it look incredibly easy, yet it covers all bases. 

“Often just a face with abstraction around it, or just wild brushstrokes. Too easy, you say? I haven't managed it yet!” she says with a wry smile. 

“There are a few current Sunshine Coast artists whose work I admire and have been inspired by, two of whom are Bronwyn Barton, a semi-abstract artist, and Cheryl

McGannon, a cold wax hinterland artist.” 

Almeta admits the Yandina Art Group has been a wonderful addition to her art life. 

“We begin each week with a delicious lunch supplied by each of us to share and then chat away while we paint. We have a couple of luncheons at local venues during the year which include our respective spouses. 

“The folk are genuinely interested in each other and ready to assist each other in their private situations whenever necessary. Art is friendship, joy, sharing and caring.”

The group began about eight years ago and has a current membership of ten accomplished artists. It was initiated by John N Mason, who was a finalist in this year's Brisbane Rotary Art Exhibition. 

John started Yandina Art Group as he envisioned a group of artists who would enjoy painting together and sharing their techniques.  

The Yandina Art Group meets each Tuesday afternoon from midday to 3pm at the CWA Hall on Stevens Street, Yandina. You can find them on Facebook, under ‘Yandina Artists’ and Almeta’s artwork at almetaartwork.com