INTERVIEW with Chona Allen || Internationally Published Artist

Above: Chona Allen - Photo by Jonathan Ramoza

SD: Hi Chona. Can you please introduce yourself to my readers who don't know you yet?

CA: I’m Chona Allen, also known as Chona Massingham. I was born and raised in the Philippines. I finished a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication majoring in Broadcasting, and also finished a Diploma in Public Speaking. Now a Brisbane-based commission artist, designer and model.

SD: How long have you been painting, and how did you get into it?

CA: I started painting and commissioning artwork when I migrated here in Brisbane in 2015. I’m a self-taught artist and painting was a way to help me get occupied while transitioning life here in Australia. I rediscover myself in a whole new place, although at first it was just for a purpose to create something during my lonely time away from my 2 other children that was left in the Philippines at that time. However painting have opened doors for me to recognise my passion in this genre of art and since then I have been creating art using different mediums. I use oils, acrylics, textile paints and mix media depending on the art concept.

Above: Tiana Kiloni in a design by Chona Allen and photo taken by Priyantha M Arachchi (published in MIROITÉR Magazine)

SD: What advice would you give to someone who feels repeatedly disappointed by their detailed paintings – how do you avoid the feeling of wanting to give up completely?

CA: I believe we have the artistic ability in us and all we need to do is to discover that within ourselves. There’s no timeframes for learning and this can happen in any stages of our lives and I believe that we should not be discouraged from learning new things. If one will not work, then try another one until you will find the perfect one. So in my story as an artist who started painting 8 years ago, one way that I have learned from my own experience is the passion that I put in what I do. Passion fuelled my ability to create that made painting art more enjoyable and rewarding. There is no mistakes in art, it is an expression that only an artist can express and so this makes each and every artist unique from each other. My advice to artists who feels repeatedly disappointed is to never give up and never compare your work to others and believe that your creation is the best of your abilities. Your artwork is you, so never give up on yourself.

SD: What are you working on at the moment?

CA: I’m working on two canvases at the moment commissioned for Skinsentials GC beauty clinic that is owned by Irene Lorico. This is how I create my artwork. I work in two or more concepts at once, so if one will have to set to dry, I work on the other art concept.

SD: How does travel and painting different environments/cultures impact upon your painting practice?

CA: Since my artwork are based upon my patrons requirements, I haven’t tried travelling for the purpose of painting related to different environments and cultures although I believe it wouldn’t impact on my painting practice if I will be required in the future to do so. I guess this is how commission artists differentiate from other artists. I based my art style on each of these clients and I do my work at the moment in the comfort of my home.

SD: How has your art evolved over the years?

CA: I painted my early artwork solely on canvases. But as I jumped onboard into fashion modelling, I have integrated my artwork into dresses, bags and shoes. Now I have been promoting the "sustainable fashion" by up-cycling and recycling used dresses turning them into timeless pieces by decorating these items with paintings. And turn these up-cycled pieces toward being recycled in the later stages into an art to be hanged on the walls by cutting and framing the painted part of the fabrics. Fashion is my passion since I was younger and now that I ventured out into painting, I have made a perfect marriage of my two passions, the Art and Fashion. With this, I have been published internationally as an artist designer and as a fashion model.

Above: Anna Shayduck in a design by Chona Allen and taken by Priyantha M Arachchi (published in MIROITÉR Magazine)

SD: What is the most important lesson to remember when making art?

CA: Every art is unique as every artist is unique too. So regardless of what an artist can create at the moment it will always be something unique to the rest. There is an identity of that artist that will be shared with every audience. So important lesson to remember, be who you are even in your creation, and don’t be scared to share that creation to everyone.

SD: Are there any works of art/artists who you particularly admire?

CA: I am a raw artist who never set eyes to any other art or artists around before. I create my own artwork based on my own personal tastes and based on the requirements of each of my clients or art patrons.

SD: Do you have any words of advice for anyone curious about trying their hand at painting?

CA: Anyone can paint and all they need to do is just try. And everything that they create out of that, is already a masterpiece. So do it as much as they enjoy coffee or food. This was my way to cope up with stressful situations from the very start and brought me to where I am now. It started with curiosity after all, when I pick up the brush and stroked it on a canvas with splashes of paint. And here I am now, been painting and never stopped.

SD: What is your process when painting?

CA: My first process is to talk to the client and solicit their ideas of a specific art style they require. This involves the space of display, the material and colour palette I’m going to use for the concept. Then I commence with the painting that would normally takes me about 3-4 weeks depending on the size and complexity of the work.

SD: What is a little known fact you would like to share?

CA: I’m an entrepreneur and a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia-Philippines and one of the Board of Directors of Queensland Filipino-Australian Arts Association. Two of my hand painted dresses won the best in “Evening Gown” for the Face Of Australia Queensland 2022, this was worn by Blue Butterfly who was one of the finalist of the pageant. While I was awarded as the “Best Dressed” during the Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Awards Ceremony 2022 with the fully painted cape I created and worn.

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