Where imagination meets freedom
Who is WHW?
Nicky Shearsby is a British artist based in Cornwall, England, whose work explores character, narrative and emotional presence through expressive animal portraiture. Drawing and painting from an early age, art formed an instinctive part of her creative life long before it became a professional practice.
A move to Cornwall in 2024 marked a pivotal turning point. Re-engaging with drawing after years away, she initially explored hyper-realism and commissioned portraiture before moving away from technical rigidity in search of a more instinctive visual language. Through this process, her distinctive style emerged: expressive, character-driven farmyard animals that balance humour, intimacy and emotional resonance.
Working primarily in oil, Shearsby creates one-of-a-kind paintings that celebrate individuality and narrative presence. Her practice embraces spontaneity and emotional authenticity, allowing personality and atmosphere to guide the work rather than strict realism. Animals are portrayed not as subjects alone, but as quiet characters carrying suggestion, story and connection.
Her ongoing body of work forms the foundation of Wild Home Whimsy, a collection-led practice centred on singular original paintings and carefully considered limited editions. Through this approach, Shearsby explores ideas of slower creation, meaningful ownership, and art as an intimate presence within everyday spaces.
In her spare time Shearsby writes Thriller novels, balancing creativity in different forms.
