A life on canvas: Gary Myers opens new gallery in Maleny

Gary Myers “My family’s been in this street for more than a century.” Pic: Richard Muldoon.

Maleny’s artistic heart has a new addition – and it couldn’t belong to anyone more fitting.

Renowned painter Gary Myers has officially opened his new gallery and working studio at 2/38 Maple Street, right in the heart of town. The recent official opening drew more than 100 guests, marking another milestone in a career that has spanned nearly five decades.

For Gary, the move feels like coming full circle.

“My family’s been in this street for more than a century. My grandfather opened his first store here in 1907,” he said. “It’s good to keep a Myers on Maple Street. I think it’s in the DNA.”

The gallery exclusively features Gary’s own work, with walls lined floor-to-ceiling in bold, expressive landscapes inspired by the Australian bush. It’s also his studio, meaning visitors can often see him at work – brush in hand, radio humming, palette laden with colour.

“I like painting where people can walk in and talk,” he said. “It keeps me connected to the real world – and occasionally reminds me to stop for lunch.”

A gallery born of colour and connection

Gary describes his distinctive style as “impressionism with a bolder-than-normal palette” – a vivid, modern take on the Australian landscape. His paintings draw from the rolling hills, paddocks, trees and gums of the hinterland, often infused with his deep sense of place and history.

“I see colour in the land that most people don’t,” he said. “That’s what I try to put on canvas ... how it feels, not just how it looks.”

Over his career, Gary has held more than 45 solo exhibitions and his works are held in private and corporate collections across Australia and overseas. Prices range from a few hundred dollars for smaller studies to more than $20,000 for large-scale works.

For collectors and art lovers, visiting the new gallery offers something beyond the paintings themselves: the chance to meet the artist, hear the stories behind his work and experience Maleny’s creative spirit in its purest form.

“The best part is seeing people connect with a painting,” Gary said. “Sometimes they walk in and go straight to one. It’s like the painting chooses them.”

Visitors are welcome to drop by during open hours, or book a personalised tour for a more in-depth experience.

• www.garymyers.com.au | 2/38 Maple Street, Maleny | 0427 526 965 | garymyersart@gmail.com