FABULOUS FEATHER ART: CHRIS MAYNARD
CHRIS MAYNARD
This is 2018, the Year of the Bird! But for artist, Chris Maynard, every year, and every day is a time to celebrate the special beauty that is unique to these creatures -- the beauty of feathers.
“My work with feathers gives me a satisfying perch from which to view the world.”
— Chris Maynard
For Maynard, feathers mark nature’s pinnacle of achievement: the intersection of function and beauty. While they make flight possible and they insulate birds against water, sun and wind, they are utterly beautiful. Their colors and patterns not only help them to attract mates but can also camouflage. And they certainly dazzle. Maynard turns them into marvelous works that dazzle the dazzle.
Maynard considers each feather to be a “small bit of perfection.” Yet he takes each perfect bit and elevates it. His unique feather shadow boxes are recognized by art collectors, bird lovers, and a wide and interesting variety of people from around the world.
With a background as an entomologist and hydrology biologist, Maynard brings his love of science and nature to his art. While he has been working with feathers since he was 12 years old, he has been working as a full-time artist only since 2008. He began his latest series of carved out feathers just a little over 2 years ago.
While feathers appear to be delicate, they have incredible strength and resiliency. The can travel many miles and reach incredible heights. They can withstand lots of weather, wear and tear.
Using tiny tools inherited from his eye surgeon father, including scalpels, scissors, forceps, a set of old steampunk pince-nez magnifiers, and a family heirloom magnifying glass, Maynard carves feathers in incredibly intricate shapes and cutouts.
Maynard combines his strong backgrounds in biology and ecology, working with avian themes. Each piece highlights the intrinsic structure, color, and texture of the feather. He also inherited some of his visual acumen and aesthetics from his mother, a professional visual artist.
While most people are initially wowed by brightly colored bird feathers, Maynard is often more drawn to texture and size.
From pet parrots to wild turkeys, to exotica from local aviaries, there are always piles of spent feathers to choose from. One bird, a beautiful Argus Pheasant, has provided Maynard with molted feathers for 10 years now.
The feathers Maynard uses are from private aviaries and zoos around the world. They are all legally obtained. He recycles them after they are naturally shed. He cares about protecting birds and is highly respectful the Migratory Bird Treaty and CITES acts.
Maynard's book, "Feathers, Form, and Function," offers a unique artistic perspective on and insight into the evolution, function and symbolism of feathers. This beautiful coffee table book is filled with photos of Maynard’s feathered artworks, and features thoughtful commentary. Order your signed copy here.
Maynard is a passionate environmentalist. He is a member of Society of Animal Artists and Artists for Conservation. He gives talks on evolution and leads bird-watching field trips with his local Audubon chapter in Olympia, WA. Check out Maynard’s TEDx Olympia Talk.
Check out Maynard’s Featherfolio to see more of his work. And check out his video.
Read more about Beautiful Birds in Go to Bird Heaven: Kenya, Birds Make Your Life More Beautiful Now,
And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.
Do you have amazing photos? Enter them in this week’s BN Photo Contest. We run new creative contest every week!
