Ashlee Ip has developed a process-driven approach to her art that merges figurative and abstract elements. She creates her paintings by allowing semi-inherent objects to interact with each other through pulling, colliding, reconciling, or mixing, resulting in a tension between the symbolic quality of her work and its inclination towards pure abstraction. Ip's compositions are intricate and expertly balanced the fusion of colour and imagery, chaos and order, depth and density. The numerous small brushstrokes aim to absorb and blend with each other, and despite the composition depicting conflicting situations, the overall vision presents a sense of harmony and smooth flow.
In Ip’s paintings, the elements appear to be detached from reality and presented in a partially formed or partially disintegrated record on the canvas. By disregarding the physical form of objects, Ip aims to express their essence through flowing forms such as water, mist, or mousse. The various elements in her paintings shape a sense of direction and flow that guides the viewer's gaze. This approach allows her to create a metaphorical connection to a certain state while leaving the interpretation open-ended, allowing the viewer to form an unique explanation based on their own experiences and associations.