A sense of calm, balance and quiet beauty runs through the work of Eastern Bay artist Elly Sharp, whose semi-abstract oil paintings are among the highlights of the Art House Summer Exhibition.

Sharp, who is the fairly newly appointed president of the Whakatāne Arts and Crafts Society, which is holding the exhibition, is showing a range of styles in the show, from semi-abstract and fully abstract works through to realism. One standout is her larger-scale realist painting of a tūī.

“I enjoy doing both abstract and realism,” Sharp said, “but I really enjoy the challenge of abstract.

“Using all the design principles – colour, value, balance, harmony, symmetry, or asymmetry – you can create harmony or create imbalance, even make people uncomfortable.

“In my work, I try to embrace harmony and make the paintings peaceful and calm.”

A couple of her semi-abstract works, titled Ōhiwa Mist, are inspired by views across Ōhiwa Harbour, where her studio looks out over the water.

“I love it when there are misty days and you can hardly see the island or the land across the harbour, which is what inspired the paintings.”

Sharp’s attraction to dramatic natural elements is also evident in Under a Heavy Sky, pictured above, a work that reflects her fondness for moody, turbulent skies and forests.

Another standout piece, Earthbound Elegance, showcases Sharp’s use of gold leaf to subtly enhance colour and depth. Meanwhile, Finding Order in Chaos captures her creative process perfectly, created using a palette knife and sponge.

“I start by putting things on the canvas, and then it’s about bringing everything together into something that makes sense,” she said.

“There has to be harmony, and I often have to change things around quite a lot.”

Oil paint is her medium of choice.

“I like working with oils because I have time – time to mix colours, time to think, and to blend,” she said.

“I don’t think I could do that with acrylics. I often use acrylic for underpainting, but not for the top layers. Oils just have richer colours.”

For abstract works, the process is layered and intuitive. “I build layer upon layer until I get the effect I want.”

Sharp left her full-time job about two-and-a-half years ago and is now working almost entirely as an artist.

“I have been practising and practising, and learning. Every painting improves on the last, at least I hope it does.”

In addition to her paintings, Sharp has watercolour cards, hand-painted coasters, unframed works, and delicate crochet pieces available at the exhibition, which finishes this weekend.

She encourages people to visit the Art House Summer Exhibition, which also features raffles and a People’s Choice competition, where visitors can enter to win one of her paintings.

The exhibition ends on Sunday.

The Art House Summer Exhibition
■ Where: The Art House, 136 McAlister Street, Whakatāne
■ When: 10am-4pm, until Sunday, January 11
■ Entry: Free