News From The Aviary

Wild Heart Gallery, USA – Congratulations Nicky Shelton for “Swoop” earning Finalist in our MOOD. Animals with Attitude 2026 juried international virtual exhibition Artist’s description: “Swoop is my character driven portrait of an Australian Magpie, captured with only one eye visible, a deliberate artistic choice that transforms a familiar bird into a symbol of resilience [ more info ]

I’m thrilled to share some wonderful news! My wildlife oil painting, Macca, featuring a beautiful Tasmanian Green Rosella, has been selected as a Finalist in the internationally acclaimed Wild Heart Gallery – Masters of Wildlife Art 2026 competition. To have my work recognised alongside talented wildlife artists from around the world is both humbling and [ more info ]

Sometimes the most memorable visitors arrive uninvited. Berry Bandits captures a delightful moment in the Australian bush—a pair of endangered Gang-gang Cockatoos helping themselves to the ripe berries of a hawthorn tree with complete confidence. Their inquisitive nature and playful partnership transform an ordinary garden into the scene of a charming heist. Known for their [ more info ]

Some weekends leave a lasting impression, and this was one of them. The Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival was filled with inspiring conversations, creativity, and a wonderful sense of community. One of the highlights for me was standing in front of my Visual Stories Competition entry, “Sitting Pretty“, and having my photo taken with [ more info ]

I’m delighted to have my entry, Sitting Pretty, featured in the Visual Stories Competition at the Margaret River Region Readers & Writers Festival 2026. “Sitting Pretty” tells the story of an iconic Australian Galah with big dreams of fame. Full of personality, curiosity and a touch of cheeky ambition, this colourful character captures the humour [ more info ]

Celebrating the Beauty of Nature: “Theo” at the Holmes Art Prize 2025 I’m thrilled to share that my oil painting of the Tasmanian Green Rosella, affectionately named “Theo,” has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious Holmes Art Prize for Realistic Australian Bird Art 2025! This competition is a significant milestone in the bird [ more info ]

2025 – First Place Prize Winner – Gallery4Percent USA – International Nature Art Competition. In the realm of avian art, few subjects capture the imagination quite like the graceful flight of Terns. “A Symphony in the Sky” is a celebration of these magnificent birds, painted in oils to evoke the beauty and elegance of their [ more info ]

Best of Show for “Soulmates” Red-tailed Black Cockatoo’s Grey Cube Gallery proudly presents the sixth Animals online art show for the month of February 2025. The show encompassed a range of artistic styles and mediums (oil on canvas, acrylic, pastel, graphite, scratchboard, coloured pencil, watercolour, recycled metal, bronze, digital art, photography). Each submission has been [ more info ]

Greetings from TERAVARNA USA! We’re delighted to bring you the exciting news that you have won an award in the “10th ANIMAL” art competition. What wonderful news for “Pete” – Australian Pelican painted in oils. It is always a great honour to receive an award particularly when competing at an international level. Thank you Teravarna [ more info ]

“Waratah” Best of Show – grey Cube Gallery USA – fifth Nature online art show October 2024.

How absolutely fabulous to receive First Place in an International Nature Art Competition. My oil painting of a Tasmanian Green Rosella called “Macca” Jury Judged – First Place amongst hundreds of entries. Thank you US based Gallery4Percent and the panel of judges for selecting my artwork as the overall winner. I couldn’t do what I [ more info ]

“Waratah” Awarded 2nd Place in International Wildlife Competition – International Artist Magazine USA.

My painting called “Jacko” is now the label for delicious Korijekup Honey created by Exploration Honey, Harvey, Western Australia. The land around Harvey was named Korijekup by the Nyoongar people, which means “place of the red-tailed black cockatoo”. Exploration Honey bees have foraged from the forests around Korijekup to produce this beautiful raw honey. Black [ more info ]

Finalist – Holmes Art Prize for Excellence in Realistic Australian Birdlife 2023. Australia’s preeminent bird art competition. “Waratah” painted in oils is one of 40 selected finalist artworks. This painting depicts a pair of Rainbow Lorikeets sitting on one of Australia’s most iconic flowers, the floral emblem for New South Wales. Rainbow Lorikeets are known [ more info ]

How absolutely fabulous to be the featured as the avian artist in the January – February 2023 edition of Parrot News Magazine. The article gives some background on my bird art journey and features many of parrot and cockatoo paintings all lovingly painted in oils. Hude thank you to Parrot Society of Australia Inc. for [ more info ]

A great honour to have my oil painting called “The Stockman” selected as a Finalist in the Collie Art Prize 2023 – theme being Identity. This is the only portrait ever painted of Ray Macnamara – an iconic Australian Stockman was selected as one of 47 finalists jury selected out of 377 national submission. Ray’s [ more info ]

It is is always an honor to be re-invited to teach at the annual Albany Summer School. This year I returned for a third time to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of one of Australia’s longest running Summer School Events. Once again my class was fully booked with a team of 12 talented and enthusiastic students [ more info ]

My oil painting of a female Gang-gang Cockatoo called “Cherry Ripe” received an Award of Excellence at Australia’s preeminent bird art competition the Holmes Prize for Realistic Australian Bird Art 2022. Just to be chosen as one of the 35 competition finalist is a major achievement. To receive an Award of Excellence amongst Australia’s leading [ more info ]

“Chick Pea” my painting of a smiling Carnaby Cockatoo is now the Currambine Primary School Emblem. Thanks to Natalie Heartcliffe – Art Specialist at Currambine Primary School a print of my painting of “Chick Pea” will be the face that welcomes everyone to the school. With my permission the print of “Chick Pea” has received [ more info ]

Nominee for APIA Get Set.60 2022 Awards

This year a record 168 artists will be participating in the largest Open Studio event in Australia, possibly the Southern Hemisphere. This is a fabulous opportunity to meet the artists in their creative space and discover what drives their passions. My studio – “The Aviary” the creative home of my birdlife artworks painted in oils [ more info ]

Finalist – Holmes Art Prize for Realistic Australian Bird Art 2022

Translating a client’s vision can be fun and challenging all at the same time. In this instance my client awoke to a vision following major heart surgery. My job was to translate the vision onto canvas. From obtaining a written brief, sourcing reference photos, developing conceptual ideas for client approval and creating a significantly personal [ more info ]

“The Art of Birds – Meet Nicky Shelton” A few weeks ago I was approached to do an interview with Bird Buddy . If you haven’t heard of Bird Buddy the product is a smart bird feeder that notifies you of bird visitors, captures photos of birds who visit the birdfeeder and organises the photos [ more info ]