What: Yvonne Sternadel

Where: The Galleria at the Forum, 2120 Speedway Avenue

When: Exhibit opens today and runs through July 31.

Information: (940) 766-3347

Admission: Free

Growing up, Yvonne Sternadel was always interested in art, because she wanted to be like her artist grandmother.

“She was always drawing things for us, and I was fascinated with that,” Sternadel said. It would be much later before she actually began to paint, and then there would be a delay or two before it really took hold.

Sternadel’s first solo show features floral acrylic paintings, and it opens today at The Galleria at the Forum, running through July 31.

“My first time to paint was when I was pregnant with my first child and that was a while ago. I had two other children, and art got put on that backburner for a while, until they got bigger.”

When her younger children were in junior high, Sternadel created a small company that did custom clothing and earrings, and she painted on clothing like t-shirts for two years.

Art finally stuck with her after attending an art class at How Great Thou Art in 2011 with girlfriends. “I started painting and did classes there and then some painting parties at the Maplewood with Vickie” (Milam).

She appeared in two Maplewood group shows in 2016 and 2017 and also had her own booth in the 2017 Art & Soul show downtown. “That’s where I finally am,” she said with a laugh.

“I have a lot of fun with painting. I want to make art that is enjoyable to look at. It’s happy, and it’s colorful.”

And, by the way, she doth love flowers. “I managed the Basketcase flower shop for 11 years and that influenced my art a lot.” Much of her work is influenced by flowers and floral designs she would create for clients.

Several pieces in her solo show was inspired by work she did for a women’s luncheon event at a hospital. “I had to put flowers on heads of mannequins (flowers in her hair) and those pictures led me to paint these pictures. I had so much fun doing that I did a series.”

Some of her new show is from that series and a few are newer pieces. “I will have 15 to 18 paintings in this show. They are acrylic and mixed media with pastel and ink.”

She has painted steadily, time permitting, since 2011 and most of the Forum show is work that was done over the past year.

“Most everything has flowers in it, some have antlers and feathers. It’s whatever really sparks my interest. Some are whimsical. The theme is floral – bright colors. I do love color and I like cheerful, happy pieces.

“In my Art & Soul booth, people said, ‘You must be a very happy person,’ and I said, ‘I try to project that.’ I want people to look at it and feel joyful.”

She draws her subjects from things that inspire her. “If I see a photograph, I am never going to paint exactly what’s on the photo. What I love about being an artist is we create our own reality on canvas. I get to create my own reality on canvas, as long as it’s happy. If something is not happy, I will leave it out,” she said with a laugh.

Sternadel said her grandmother was older when she began doing art and was on a limited income. She didn’t get to invest that much into it. She painted in oil, and that could be very expensive.

“I indulge myself in art supplies, buying really good acrylic paints, good canvases and brushes. It really is an investment, especially if you want to frame your pieces.”