Galleries

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

“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”.

Oil Painting Techniques with Nicky Shelton

 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

Steve – an Australian White-bellied Sea Eagle

Meet Steve – a magnificent Australian White-bellied Sea Eagle – one of Australia’s largest and most spectacular birds.

With all of my bird paintings my artistic challenge is bring them to life.  I want them to talk, to tell their story to everyone who sees them.  To achieve this, I work hard on each bird’s expressions and personality, as well the story behind the painting

In this original oil painting, Steve is focused on his prey and is about to capture his prey – fish for lunch?

Quite apart from the sheer majesty of this beautiful bird in flight, I enjoy his look of concentration and focus which belies his fishing objective.

I am passionate about Australian wildlife, particularly birdlife. I am a realist oil painter who wishes to showcase the beauty and majesty of Australia’s birds.

Over the last few years I have met many amazing photographers who specialise in Birdlife photography, and who have generously allowed me access to their material as inspiration and reference points.  My challenge then is to bring these to life – to get them to talk not only to me but to everybody that sees the bird painting.

I met Nathan Piesse at a Birdlife Digital photography event where one of my paintings was being showcased as an example of how digital photography could be utilised by artists.

“Steve” is one of Nathan’s favourite shots, and I agreed to paint him. I was very excited about this project, not only because of “Steve’s” majesty, but also because it involved a different challenge from my other recent projects. I endeavoured to capture the moment as this sharp eyed Eagle, in hunting pose catches the light and reflects across the water.

To properly convey “Steve’s” story, I brought his talons to the fore, giving them greater emphasis, as well as focussing more on his eyes and reworking the sea backdrop to better capture the beauty of this bird and the moment of the catch.

The original oil painting of “Steve” now roost’s on display in Nathan’s new home, and a prints is currently on display in the Village Art Gallery at Whiteman Park, along with a collection of my other birdlife paintings.

Few Australian birds of prey are as spectacular as the White-bellied Sea Eagle. Although similar in shape to the well known Wedge-tailed Eagle, and almost as large, the Sea Eeagle is readily distinguished by its contrasting crisp white and ash grey plumage, which adds to its striking appearance as it soars effortlessly on broad wings. Despite its name, the Sea Eagle is not confined to coastal areas, and the species is regularly recorded at terrestrial wetlands far from the sea, especially along larger inland rivers and at freshwater swamps and lakes.

To discuss your own personal commission please come and see me at the Village Art Gallery – Whiteman Park or contact me through the message area of my website.