Tag Archives: bird wall art

“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 a new name “ERIC” which is an acronym to help inspire Currambine Primary School students to use their Excellence, Respect, Integrity and Kindness.

Special thank you to photographer Mark Molinari for graciously providing the reference photo used as inspiration for this painting. Sadly Mark passed away 2022.

It is a great honour to announce my oil painting of a female Gang-gang Cockatoo called “Cherry Ripe” has been selected as one of 35 finalist artworks in one of Australia’s premiere bird art competitions – Holmes Art Prize for Excellence in Realistic Australian Birdlife 2022.

This painting was created to raise awareness of an iconic Australian cockatoo.

Gang -gang cockatoos are one of my favourite Australian birds, they are the animal emblem of the Australian Capital Territory and one of the more distinctive and charismatic members of Australia’s avifauna. This gorgeous female epitomises their sheet beauty.

I feel it is important to recognise the splendour of our Australian Birdlife and use my artworks to promote birdlife conservation.  With each painting created I strive to capture the character and majesty of every subject.

 Sadly these beautiful birds have recently been uplisted to the endangered species list.

Acknowledgement and huge thank you to photographer Perry Cho for graciously providing the reference photo used as inspiration for this oil painting.

“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 into a beautiful collection. This innovative product was invented by some cleaver people in Europe, and is taking off like a rocket. The team behind the product are devoted to birdlife conservation. Just like me.

If you would like to discover more about me and my passion for birds click on the link below:

https://blog.mybirdbuddy.com/post/interview-nicky-shelton

I present to you a  sample of  small bird paintings 12.5cm x 17.5 cm created whilst on a 12 month European road trip.

 

It seems  surreal painting Australian birds in Italy, France, Croatia and different European locations, but Aussie birds are my thing and as they say you have to follow your passion.

 

Having  retired from corporate careers my husband and I have been doing what our friends call – “living the dream”.  The agreement before we left home was that I could continue to paint.

 

We have  spent the past 12 months travelling across Europe,  pet sitting between destinations which has given me time to continue pursuing my love to paint Australian birds in oils.

 

Pet sitting is a wonderful way to travel. we have visited some amazing locations, met and developed friendships with wonderful people and looked after beautiful much loved pets including turtles, fish, ducks, goats, cats, dogs and horses.

 

Combining  travel and oil painting  can become tricky particularly when packing wet paintings into an already over stuffed car.  Luckily I have a devoted husband who is committed to my passion –  after hours of meticulous car packing practice he has excruciatingly solved the artwork packing quandry.  The unpacking is another issue.

 

My small Australian Bird paintings are available via my web.

 

It is a great honor to be invited to submit my Australian bird paintings to be included in the annual Fine Art at Hale School Art Exhibition.

Hale School is one of Perth, Western Australia’s most prestigious private schools. The annual exhibition, which has been running for 26 years, is curated by a selection panel and only invited artists are offered inclusion.

A great honor to present my bird art for sale in in this year’s exhibition.

News From The Aviary

Bird Art Flying Solo – My First Exhibition

Aside
Exhibition Nerves

I admit to being a bit nervous about my first solo art exhibition for my bird art.  I knew it was going to be a brave move – but nothing ventured, nothing gained!

As it happened I had nothing to worry about as the exhibition was a huge success.  The turn out was terrific, with nearly 200 people visiting over the weekend, and a full house on the Friday night opening.

Bird art niche

As my specialty lies in a fairly narrow niche, that of realistic Australian bird paintings and bird art, I’m never sure how well my paintings are going to be received.

Having received a gracious offer of gallery space at The Rose, North Fremantle, Western Australia, I was at first unsure.   But with the support and encouragement of my amazing family and friends I was persuaded to go solo and accept the opportunity.

Bird Art Exhibition – A Bird’s Perspective

The result was “A Birds’s Perspective” – a solo exhibition of my Australian bird paintings. It was held over the Mothers’ day long weekend in May 2018.

Visitors from all over Western Australia brought their families and friends to view my bird paintings.  I was overwhelmed by the attendance and support of friends, fellow artists, bird enthusiasts and bird art collectors, some of whom had traveled hundred of kms to attend.

Exhibition Results

We sold eight of my original bird paintings and a couple of plein air pieces.  Of the bird paintings sold, I was a bit sad to part company with “Edwina’s Luncheon Orb”. Edwina is one of my favourites, and a finalist in the 2017 Holmes Art Prize.

I also received several commissions and lost count of the number of bird art prints and gift cards sold.

A portion of original bird painting sales is always donated to Birdlife Australia, as I believe it is important to support our threatened and endangered and feathered friends.  I am glad to report that over the exhibition weekend we raised nearly $1,000 for that important cause.

Thank you to all who visited, supported and contributed to the success of my first bird art solo exhibition and my passion for protecting and painting Australian birdlife.