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