Nicky Shelton Artist

From as early as I can remember you would find me with a crayon, pencil or paint brush in my hand.

Upon graduating from school my initial intent was to pursue a career in Fine Arts but instead I diversified into a corporate career spanning over 30 years. Several years ago I made the decision to retire from the corporate world and reignite my childhood dream to become an artist. I swapped a desk for an easel, attended local TAFE classes and dedicated every spare moment to developing my artistic skills.

My passion is to paint realistic Australian birdlife in oils. I have always loved birds. We in Australia are so very fortunate to share our backyards and continent with a wonderland of diverse and unique birdlife. To me birds are one of Mother Nature’s gifts.

I also love placing my subjects in a slightly contemporary backgrounds, stylising my artworks as “Contemporary Realism”.

In support of our feathered friends I am an active member of Birdlife Australia, the nation’s largest not-for-profit bird conservation organisation. From every original bird painting sold, I make a donation to this organisation to help protect the many species which are under threat.

In 2017 my decision to pursue my artistic passion proved to be life changing. I became the Resident Birdlife Artist at the Village Art Gallery – Whiteman Park, one of Perth, Western Australia’s premiere wildlife tourist destinations. I also held my first solo exhibition raising funds and awareness for Birdlife Australia. The same year my artworks were also picked as finalists in three leading Australian art awards including Asia Pacific Cliftons Art Prize, Holmes Art Prize for excellence in realistic Australian Birdlife and the biennial Midwest Art Prize.

In July 2018 my husband retired and we made the decision to travel to the United Kingdom to be closer to our adult children. For 16 months we pet sat across Europe during which time I painted Australian birds and promoted my artworks to a new audience of birdlife art collectors.

In late 2019 my husband and I returned to Western Australia to reclaim our much loved dog. We now reside in Margaret River where we live on a mini farm which we share with a plethora of beautiful wildlife. Early this year we converted our old rambling stables into my new art studio, retaining the rustic look of the building, I now have a quirky, dedicated creative space where I pursue my passion to paint Australian birdlife in oils. From my studio I also promote my artworks worldwide, teach oil painting techniques and support birdlife conservation.