Emerging artist wins Matthew Flinders Art Prize

It may have taken 50 years of practice, but Sunshine Coast painter Leonie Shirley can now say she is an award-winning artist after taking out first place in the 2024 Matthew Flinders Art Prize.

The emerging artist impressed the judges with her painting of cattle being mustered at night, which was inspired by a photograph her daughter took on her property in Western Queensland.

The winners of this year’s competition were announced at a gala opening night at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre on July 12, which Leonie unfortunately could not attend because she was travelling.

Speaking to Moreton Daily, Leonie said she was “thrilled” to win the prestigious competition, which attracts artists from all over the country.

“I was absolutely over the moon to find out I had won,” Leonie said.

“What makes this win even sweeter is that this was the first major art competition I have ever entered!

“I am so thrilled to have my work acknowledged and to have that encouragement from the local art community.

“As an artist, you want people to stop and admire your work, and I am thrilled the judges loved my piece.”

Leonie says the painting took her around three months to make.

“I like to do my own photography, but that photograph my daughter captured just grabbed me – I thought it was a very unique shot,” Leonie said.

“I had never painted cattle before, so I thought I would give it a go.

“I knew I just needed to try my best, and what I created was as lifelike to the photo as I could possibly get.

“I am really happy with how it turned out.”

What the judges thought

After viewing all the entries in this year’s competition, judges Richard Blundell and Kim Herringe named Leonie’s painting the winner, praising her use of night light on the subject.

“There’s a temptation with artists to fill up their work. Leaving blank or black space brings the core of the work into great relief,” Richard said.

“The black background serves as a powerful contrast to the mustering cow herd,’” Kim said.

“The inclusion of “no colour’’ is a clever technique and one that many artists don’t recognize.”

With more than 170 entries submitted this year, Matthew Flinders Art Prize Organising Committee Chairman, Stephanie White said she was impressed with the high calibre of pieces that were on display.

“Each year, I’m blown away by the standards the artists set in the Matthew Flinders Art Prize which define and lift the event,” she said.

Above: Leonie Shirley with her painting of the Kings Beach pool, which she donated to the Zonta Club of Caloundra.  

Follow your dreams 

Having loved to draw and sketch since she was a young girl, Leonie has learnt lots of different mediums and techniques over the years including Chinese watercolours, water-based oils, acrylics, oils, and photography.

While living in Kilcoy, Leonie won three prizes at the Kilcoy Show, and even sold a painting of Caloundra’s King Beach swimming pool, which she donated to the Zonta Club of Caloundra to auction off so they could raise money for International Women’s Day.

Having achieved her dream of winning a major art competition, Leonie has some words of advice for others who might be hesitant to enter.

“Just follow your dreams and have a go, because you just never know what might happen,” Leonie said.

“I told my grandchildren it took me 50 years of practice to get this far, so don’t ever give up.”

Leonie now hopes to spend more time in her art studio to create more pieces to enter in other competitions.