Melissa Sharplin

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Sharplin discovered her passion for realism at an early age, exploring with acrylics, sketches and moving into a more ‘Pop Art’ style during her early twenties. She is known for her portraiture in oils, and has recently taken her established techniques into landscape painting, to celebrate the vast and majestic Southern Otago vistas.

‘Cardrona’ Landscape marked the first in a new direction for Sharplin, exploring the epic Southern Otago landscapes and their untamed inhabitants.

Well-worn and iconic mountain passes wind through velvety folds in the rugged landscapes. Warm and cool hues are lit by triumphant sunrays, illuminating the dynamic topography below, as New Zealand’s finest prey birds survey from above.