Tag Archives: Australian Artist

Painted in oils “Waratah” Awarded 2nd Place in international Wildlife competition held by International Artist Magazine USA.

It is always a great honour and very validating to receive an award, particularly when the artwork is jury judged against incredible competition.

“Waratah” is an oil painting depicting a pair of Rainbow Lorikeets sitting on one of Australia’s most iconic flowers, the floral emblem for New South Wales.

Acknowledgement to photographer David C. Simon for graciously providing the reference photo used as inspiration for this oil painting.

My painting called “Jacko” is now the label for delicious Korijekup Honey created by Exploration Honey, Harvey, Western Australia.

The land around Harvey was named Korijekup by the Nyoongar people, which means “place of the red-tailed black cockatoo”. Exploration Honey bees have foraged from the forests around Korijekup to produce this beautiful raw honey.

Black Cockatoos have a very special place in our hearts and we need to do everything we can to help them. Exploration Honey have planted tree plantations to help feed the black cockatoos and provided a Cockatube nesting box for them to breed in. All with the assistance of the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council.

Exploration Honey comes from around the South West of Western Australia. They take pride in producing and supplying delicious and healthy honey to the very best locations in their area, ensuring sustainability along the way.

Finalist – Holmes Art Prize for Excellence in Realistic Australian Birdlife 2023.

Australia’s preeminent bird art competition.

“Waratah” painted in oils is one of 40 selected finalist artworks. This painting depicts a pair of Rainbow Lorikeets sitting on one of Australia’s most iconic flowers, the floral emblem for New South Wales.

Rainbow Lorikeets are known for their bright colours and vibrant personalities.  Their boisterous and playful behaviour reflects the larrikin spirit of Australia itself.

Huge thank you to David C. Simon for graciously providing the reference photo used as inspiriation.

How absolutely fabulous to be the featured as the avian artist in the January – February 2023 edition of Parrot News Magazine.

The article gives some background on my bird art journey and features many of parrot and cockatoo paintings all lovingly painted in oils.

Hude thank you to Parrot Society of Australia Inc. for choosing me.

A great honour to have my oil painting called “The Stockman” selected as a Finalist in the Collie Art Prize 2023 – theme being Identity.

This is the only portrait ever painted of Ray Macnamara – an iconic Australian Stockman was selected as one of 47 finalists jury selected out of 377 national submission.

Ray’s image has been displayed on billboards in the Kimberley. He has also featured together with RM Williams in a book dedicated to The Stockman – Australian Outback Heritage.

Born in Quilpie, South West Queensland, Ray left home at age 14 and worked as a Station Hand throughout the district. At age 17 his uncle invited Ray to travel to the Kimberley region of Western Australia where he was employed by Lissadell Station and Argyle Downs as a Stockman, Boss Driver and Horse Breaker.

Ray returned to Queensland in his mid 20’s where he obtained his own cattle property. After the success of his enterprise he decided to give something back to the cattle industry serving as the Queensland Chairman of the Cattleman’s Union and as a member of the Cattle Council of Australia.

Ray is now 94, a retired great grandfather of the Australian cattle industry, living just outside Ipswich, Queensland. He has become a good friend.

Ray has written a book called “The Way it Was” about his times as a young Stockman youth in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. It is an incredible story of the region’s history and Ray’s endurance and tenacity as a Stockman – a man made of steel.

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.

My oil painting of a female Gang-gang Cockatoo called “Cherry Ripe” received an Award of Excellence at Australia’s preeminent bird art competition the Holmes Prize for Realistic Australian Bird Art 2022.

Just to be chosen as one of the 35 competition finalist is a major achievement. To receive an Award of Excellence amongst Australia’s leading bird artists is a great honour and very validating.

“Cherry Ripe” took nearly 7 weeks to paint in oils. She was painted specifically as my entry in this competition.

I have to send a huge thank you to my photographer friend Perry Cho who graciously allowed use of his photo as a reference for my interpretation.

Together lets raise $5K for Australia’s endangered birdlife.

I have been nominated for the 2022 APIA Get Set.60 Awards. There are 11 nominees and voting is exclusively online.

APIA will donate $5K to the winner’s charity of choice.

As an Australian birdlife conservationist and artist my charity of choice is Birdlife Australia, specifically to assist with the conservation and rehabilitation of our beautiful and unique endangered birds.

In support of our feathered friends PLEASE vote. Every vote counts. Just click on HOME link below:

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This year a record 168 artists will be participating in the largest Open Studio event in Australia, possibly the Southern Hemisphere. This is a fabulous opportunity to meet the artists in their creative space and discover what drives their passions.

My studio – “The Aviary” the creative home of my birdlife artworks painted in oils will be open 10am to 4pm every day during the event 10th to 25th September. I am number 88 in the Event Guide

I look forward to seeing you during your Margaret River Region artistic discovery.

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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.

“Swoop” – Wins his second international Award.

He has been awarded Hon. Mention in the Traditional category of USA based Fusion Art – 4th Into the Wild Art Exhibition. This is a jury judged competition and the second international award this painting has received. “Swoop” has previously been jury judged “Best Painting in Show” by US based Camelback Galleries.

“Swoop” has also featured on the front page of a European art magazine.

Thank you “Swoop” and Muneer Al Shanti for allowing use of his image used as inspiration for this oil painting.

Commission above was created for a client who requested a series of bird artworks – Birds specific to the Margaret River Region. Thank you to photographer Judy Walker for graciously allowing use of your Scarlet Robin image used as inspiration.

During a hugely successful 2021 Open Studios, I was commissioned to complete a number of commissions for bird loving clients.

All have been successfully completed now, and I have room in my schedule for new commissions.

Depending on size it can take several weeks to complete an artwork due to my preferred choice of medium being oils (renowned for slow drying). Each layer of oil paint needs to be touch dry in order to layer up the detail. Lots of zen moments for me and hopefully well worth the wait.

The normal process is for you to nominate the bird of your choice – give me a few hints about what you are looking for in a painting. I then review several reference photos, and together we select the base image. I then use my artistic license to create a special artwork just for you.

Commission below was created for a special client who’s cousin was the photographer Di Pridham. Thank you Di for allowing use of your image.

It is a great honor to be selected as a featured artist by USA based Artsy Shark.

Artsy Shark are a US based artist support and promotional organisation who jury select and “Feature amazing artists, sharing their stories with the world”.

The Artsy Shark selection process is a highly competitive curated process. Artists in every medium around the globe compete to be selected as a features artist.

Featured Artist Nicky Shelton
News From The Aviary

Exciting News for “Lenny” the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.

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“Lenny” the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo has been successfully selected for inclusion in the Capecare acquisition project 2021.

Capecare is today the largest regionally based independent aged care provider in Western Australia. They are an organisation dedicated to supporting the local art community by acquireing and displaying art throughout their residential care buildings for residents, their families, visitors, staff and local community to enjoy.

“Lenny” was one of the artworks selected from many submissions for the acquisition project. He will hang on permanent display in the newly completed Capecare residency in Dunsborough where residents, visitors and staff can enjoy the artworks of local artists together with the artist’s biography and artist’s statements supporting each individual artwork.

It is a great honor to be included in the 2021 acquisition project.

Thank you Arts Margaret River for co-ordinating this very special project and thank you Capecare for the acquisition of “Lenny”.

The conversion of our old rustic stables into my new artist studio is a dream come true! Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would one day have my very own dedicated creative space (40 square meters) to splash paint, display my Birdlife artworks and share my oil painting techniques with like minded creative enthusiasts.

It has been an all consuming project under the supervision of our totally domesticated rescue Sheep (yes that is her name) who together with her Alpaca friends enthusiastically greet all guests to our property.

Gallery visitors are always welcome – just drop me a message so I can warm up the kettle.

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“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”?

It is an honor to be re-invited to teach at the annual Albany Summer School. This year the school celebrated an anniversary of 61 years an achievement giving the school recognition as being one of Australia’s longest running Summer School Events.

This year I taught two classes over the second week of the school curiculum program.

The morning class was titled “Understanding Light Dark Harmony” where students were shown how to identify value and tone. The afternoon class was titled “Mastering the Art of Colour Mixing” where students created their own colour wheel and learnt how to match colour using 3 primary colours plus white.

All students were encouraged to create their own artwork using the oil painting techniques learnt in class.

The results were remarkable with nearly every student completing their own oil painting within class time. To my amazement some students had never used oils or even painted before.

We laughed, cajoled, shared learning moments, but most importantly had fun.

I am so proud of all my students, who’s results speak for themselves. Thank you for joining me at Albany Summer School 2021.

Congratulations to each of you!

What a wonderful surprise to discover I am a featured artist in the June 2020 addition of ArtBaazar’s Online Magazine.

Even more of a surprise to discover my painting of “Swoop” has been featured on the front cover of the magazine.

Acknowledgement to photographer Muneer Al Shanti for graciously providing the reference photo as inspiration for my painting of “Swoop”.

ArtBaazar Online Magazine #8 June 2020

It was an honor to have been invited to tech “Oil Painting Techniques” at the 60th anniversary of the Albany Summer School.  The school – one the longest running Summer School programmes in Australia.

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.  I was overwhelmed by your enthusiasm and very proud of your spectacular results.  Congratulations.

I have been asked to return for the 2021 Albany summer School and look forward to teaching not one, but two courses in “Oil Painting Techniques”.

News From The Aviary

Oil Painting Techniques with Nicky Shelton

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 Enrolments are open for Albany Summer School January 13th to 17th 2020.
Come and join me in what should be a fun and rewarding experience where I will share my oil  painting techniques including how to apply tonal values, oil paint application and lots more.  I will show you skills than can easily be translated to any paintable subject.
Numbers are limited.
https://www.albanysummerschool.com.au/coursedetail.aspx?_Item=233