About Nicky SheltonAbout Nicky Shelton

Hello and welcome to my website. I am an Australian realistic birdlife artist living in Margaret River, Western Australia.  My studio is 5 minutes from the centre of town and open via appointment.

Following my retirement from the corporate world I reignited my childhood dream to become an artist swapping my desk for an easel.  After attending a series of local TAFE art classes I now lovingly dedicate every spare moment to painting and enhancing my artistic skills.

My chosen niche is to paint realistic Australian birdlife in oils.

I have always loved birds and think we in Australia are fortunate to share our continent with a wonderland of diverse birdlife.  To me birds are one of Mother Nature’s treasures.

Through my paintings I endeavour to capture the beauty, unique personality and magnificence of each of my chosen subjects.  I love interpreting each bird’s quirky characteristics.  Over weeks of applying layers of oil paint I capture the charisma and detail of every composition.

In support of our feathered friends, I am an active member of Birdlife Australia.  This is our nation’s largest bird conservation organisation. An independent, not-for-profit organisation, who’s aim is to create a brighter future for Australia’s beautiful birds.

From every original bird painting sold, I make a donation to Birdlife Australia to help protect and rehabilitate the many bird species which are endangered and under threat. It is unfortunate that so many of our feathered friends face an uncertain future.

My decision to pursue my artistic passion has been life changing. From May 2017 to April 2018 I was the Resident Birdlife Artist at the Village Art Gallery at Whiteman Park – one of Western Australia’s leading wildlife tourist destinations.

In May 2018 I held my first Solo Exhibition “A Birds Perspective”.  Many of my artworks were sold and together we raised hundreds of dollars in support of Birdlife Australia to help support threatened & endangered birds.

Juried Exhibitions

I am appreciative of my work being recognised through competitive jury selection as exhibitor in a number of important Art Awards:

  • Holmes Acquisitive Art Prize for Excellence in Realistic Australian Birdlife (2023) – Finalist “Waratah” Rainbow Lorikeets. 
  • Holmes Acquisitive Art Prize for Excellence in Realistic Australian Birdlife (2022) – “Award of Excellence”. Australia’s pre-eminent competition for realistic birdlife paintings, with only 35 artworks selected for judging “Cherry Ripe” Female Gang-gang Cockatoo.
  • Fusion Art USA (2022) – Hon. Mention – 4th Into the Wild Art Exhibition “Swoop”
  • Artsy Shark USA (2021) – Selected as Featured Artist July 2021.
  • Camelback Gallery USA (2021) – Jury Selected “Silver Award” Amazing Animals Competition “Triple Treat” Major Mitchell Cockatoos.
  • Fusion Art USA (2020) – Winner Artist Spotlight Solo Art Exhibition.
  • Camelback Art Gallery USA (2019) “Best in Show” Award for Animals Painting Competition. “Swoop” – Australian Magpie.
  • Cliftons Art Prize (2017) –  This competition is open to artists across the Asia Pacific Region. “Nelly” the Red tailed Black Cockatoo  selected out of over 500 entries as one of 100 finalists. 
  • Holmes Acquisitive Art Prize for Excellence in Realistic Australian Birdlife (2017) – Australia’s pre-eminent competition for realistic birdlife paintings, with only 40 artworks selected for judging “Edwina’s Luncheon Orb” – Baudin’s Black Cockatoo .
  • MidWest Art Prize (2017) – One of the most prominent and valuable art prizes in Western Australia. This biennial event attracted over 240 entrants in 2017,  with 60 pieces selected for final judging, including “Nelly” the Red tailed Black Cockatoo.
  • Emerging Artist Awards, South Perth (2016) – This Award has become a recognised exhibition for local emerging artists, with an established reputation for showcasing rising Western Australian talent. In 2016 some 205 entries were submitted, of which 73 were exhibited and considered for judging, including “Lenny” the Redtail Black Cockatoo.