Young Braidwood artist Leisa Fox took out 'best in show' with her soulful acrylic work 'Moon Cloud', and sold that work plus one other at Sunday's exhibition launch.

One of the society's more recent members, she told The Queanbeyan Age that the society had helped her return to painting in a supportive environment after a long break from the art form.

"One of my friends encouraged me to join [the society] and I decided to give it a go. It's been good, because I haven't painted for along time, I've enjoyed being able to put my artworks out there and everyone's really encouraging. And there's all these different types of art and artists there to absorb."

And she said abstract was her preferred creative medium.

"I just like the fact that it's open to interpretation so everyone can see something different in an artwork," she said.

"Each person can see something new in it. And I like the process of it. I like not having to be as technical. I can just have a bit of fun with it, get creative and just paint intuitively."

The annual abstract exhibition, sponsored by The Queanbeyan Age, challenged artists to free their minds and brushes and produce some striking combinations of color and shape.

And exhibition judge Ray Barnett said they responded with aplomb.

"Over the years I've seen many of the shows here at the Queanbeyan Art Society and I would think this is one of the best," Mr Barnett said. "Members have stepped up with their creative talents and provided a range of approaches to abstract and abstraction.

"There are very many types of abstract representation here - from bold patterns to subtle colours, from delicate marks to vigorous slabs of medium, from small and dainty to large panels.

"Many think abstract painting is easy. Just throw some paint around and you don't have to worry about the drawing or the likeness. Having taught very many classes over the years I can tell you that most would-be painters fall down on the abstract part of a painting.

"Where part of the painting has to be invented for aesthetic qualities such as colour, design, patterns, contrast of line and shape, mood...... many artists find this hard and prefer to paint what they can see - and to a certain extent - copy."

*The Queanbeyan Age abstract exhibition will be on display at the Queanbeyan Art Society gallery (Trinculo Place) all this month.