The Boathouse Gallery for Fine Art

Raelene Sharp

Biography
Raelene uses oil, pastel & watercolour with equal proficiency. She draws different qualities from each medium and her subject matter is diverse. She specializes in portraiture and figurative works but is by no means limited to these subjects. Similar aptitude is displayed in all her chosen subjects. Her use of light is one of the most compelling qualities of her work. Her paintings are in public and private collections in Australia and overseas. Some of her many prizes include the 2006 $30,000.00 Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize with a self portrait titled 'A Woman's Lot', she was also included in a joint exhibition of 30 artists chosen by the Portrait Artists Australia for the Washington DC Exhibition, winner Australian Art Excellence Medallion, recipient of the Victorian Artists' Society Norman Kaye Medal and included in Salon International 2006 Texas USA. Winner and finalist in numerous competitions around the country and overseas and also features in several publications here in Australia and overseas.
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Finalist in Australian Art Excellence Award 2002, 2003 and 2005
Winner AUSTRALIAN ART EXCELLENCE MEDALLION AWARD 2003
Finalist in A.M.E. Bale Travel Grant 2003
Finalist in Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 & 2010
WINNER SHIRLEY HANNAN $30,000.00 NATIONAL PORTRAIT PRIZE 2006
Finaist Victorian Artists' Society Artist of the Year Exhibition 2005 & 2006
RECIPIENT OF THE VICTORIAN ARTISTS' SOCIETY NORMAN KAYE MEDAL 2005
Included in Joint Exhibition of 30 artists chosen by the Portrait Artists Australia for Washington DC

Exhibition 2005
INCLUDED IN SALON INTERNATIONAL 2006 TEXAS USA
Finalist Mortimore Prize 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010 (Portrait)
Winner Kevin Taylor Award 2006
Finalist Hidden Faces of the Archibald Exhibition 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010
MEMBER FUSION6 'ABOUT FACE' TOURING PORTRAIT EXHBITIION 2007 - 2010
Finalist James Farrell Self Portrait Award - Castlemaine Regional Art Gallery 2007
Participant in Chairs for Charity 2007
Finalist Black Swan Prize for Portraiture - Perth Western Australia 2008, 2009 & 2010
Commissioned to paint Michael Robertson AO Scotch College Melbourne 2007
Commissioned to paint Professor Fred Mendelsohn AO Florey Neuroscience Institute Melbourne

University 2008
Commissioned to paint Dr Deborah Siefert Melbourne University College 2009
Commissioned to paint Professor Ruth Bishop AO 2010
Archibald Entries: Jennifer Kyete (Newsreader & Presenter) 2006, Iain Hewitson (Celebrity Cook)

2007, Mark Mitchell (Actor & Entertainer) 2008, Ben Mendelsohn (Actor) 2009 and Wirginia Maixner & Alison Wray (Neurosurgeons) 2010

award winning portrait artist
winner 2006 shirley hannan $30,000.00 national portrait prize

Raelene Sharp - portrait artist

Raelene Sharp has always been fascinated with light, and the way in which it falls across an object or view. The use of light is one of the most compelling qualities of a painting. Raelene trys to use light as a tool not only for effect, but also as a significant addition to the piece, leading the viewer through the painting toward the focal point. Rembrandt, Vermeer and Streeton who consistently used light to help tell their magnificent stories have inspired her. She feels light should not just illuminate a scene it should be a dynamic part of the drama. Raelene has painted many successful paintings following this approach and when painting portraiture and figurative works uses this method to its best advantage to achieve a most satisfactory result.