Tag Archives: Australian birds

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 and individuality. By focusing one eye, the work invites the viewer into an intimate, almost confrontational moment, where the bird’s intelligence and defiant spirit become the emotional centre of the piece. The portrait honours the Magpie’s reputation in Australian culture, bold, territorial, mischievous, while also revealing a quieter vulnerability beneath its sharp gaze. This tension between toughness and tenderness gives the work its emotional weight. Rendered with strong contrast and a minimalist composition, the piece draws attention to texture, expression, and personality rather than environmental detail. The result is a portrait that feels both iconic and intimate: a tribute to the everyday wildlife that shapes Australian identity, and a reminder that even the most ordinary creatures carry extraordinary stories.”

61 x 36 x 1.5 inches, Oil on Canvas

Wow! What an Honour!

My oil painting called “Waratah” has now won 3 International Awards and was a finalist in Australia’s pre-eminent birdlife art competition the Holmes Art Prize for Excellence in Realistic Australian Birdlife 2023.

BEST OF SHOW

Grey Cube Gallery USA – Nature Art Show 2024

Nicky Shelton – “Waratah” – Rainbow Lorikeet’s – oil on canvas 51cm x 76cm.

Grey Cube Gallery proudly presents the fifth Nature online art show for the month of October 2024. The show encompassed a range of artistic styles and mediums (oil on canvas, acrylic, watercolour, pastel, coloured pencil, graphite, photography, digital). Each submission has been judged based on the following elements of artistic expression: originality and quality of art, overall design, creativity, interpretation of the theme, demonstration of artistic ability and usage of medium. Out of all entries, 55 artworks were shortlisted for inclusion in the show. The competition attracted entries from many countries across the world: USA, Canada, Belgium, Australia, Portugal, Hong Kong, Germany, Ireland, Taiwan and United Kingdom. Enjoy the show and thank you for expressing an interest in our competition.

Thank you to @davidcsimon for graciously providing the ref photo used as inspiration.

Supporting BirdLife Australia.

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 – all at different levels of oil painting experience. Together we mastered the art of painting in oils and enjoyed a fun week of creative learning with lots of laughs and amazing results.

Thank you to my fabulous team of artistic students, some of whom have joined me each year and become friends during their artistic journeys.

Once again I was overwhelmed by everyone’s enthusiasm and very proud of your spectacular results.

Huge congratulations to each of you.

“Marty” – Carnaby Cockatoo painted in oils was Sold and shipped to his new home in Italy on 26th September 2021. “Marty’s” new owner was so thrilled with her acquisition, telling me how excited she was to be receiving a painting that would brighten the dark time of living through Covid in Europe.

Both Marty’s new owner and I kept a close eye on his movements across the oceans to his new home. Touching base with one another when we both received confirmation he had arrived in Italy approximately 2 weeks after his departure from the shores of Australian. That was 14th October 2021.

With much anticipation we continued to track the whereabouts of “Marty”. Milan – December 4th 2021 is the last Tracking record of his location.

There has been no news since then.

Sadly all endevours to locate “Marty” have failed. We can only hope with fingers and toes crossed he will arrive at his new owners destination or be returned to his artistic creator.

Where are you “Marty”?