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I Hand-Carve Feathers Into Intricate Designs Using Scalpels And Eye Surgery Scissors (30 New Pics)
I carve birds' feathers into intricate art in order to make their natural beauty more noticeable. The work highlights the patterns and colors of the feathers themselves, inviting the viewer to look and look again. For me, feathers represent flight, transformation, and a bridge between our present lives and our dreams.
I display my work in shadow boxes, a signature art form I developed after years of research. I use eye surgery scissors, forceps, and scalpels to carve the feathers.
A conservationist at heart, the feathers I use are legally obtained. Many of the feathers are naturally shed, which means that the birds they came from are likely still alive.
Since feathers are universal symbols of flight, transformation, achievement, and hope, the art speaks to many people who long for these qualities as well as people who revere birds.
My work is included in private collections and featured in publications in North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia. My book, Feathers, Form & Function, highlights the art and tells stories about what feathers are, what roles they fill for birds, and why people find them alluring.
See my older posts here and here.
More info: featherfolio.com | Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
We long to fly but cannot so birds and feathers are important symbols representing our longings.
Final score:
47points
Molly Block 5 years ago
Simply stunning. I would like to see what these eye surgery scissors look like. That must be very small? And are you using some kind of closed circuit tv to enlarge your work area?
Chris Maynard (Submission author) 5 years ago
Mostly it's a small scalpel with replaceable we blades and magnifying loops
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RELATED:
#2
Final score:
38points
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
Wow- I love this one! I like how you used the varying blue hues of the feather for the water droplets!
#3
Made from naturally shed crowned crane feathers from a zoo, these birds are still alive.
Final score:
37points
#4
Final score:
36points
Sarah Brinsfield 5 years ago
I say Just Wow because I am left speechless! Absolutely amazing!
Load More Replies... Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
How in the world does this not have more up-votes? The intricacy in this is amazing! Truly gorgeous work!
#6
Final score:
31points
Up All Night 5 years ago
Something that's not a bird, and snake sheds! Did you consider doing something ...angel related?
Chris Maynard (Submission author) 5 years ago
I consider dragons and snakes at least somewhat related to birds. The only "angel" I've done was an adaptation of my four year old's drawing that looked like an angel. But when I showed it to her she said, "That's Mr Poop Man!". Oh well.
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#8
Final score:
27points
Chris Maynard (Submission author) 5 years ago
You can see this one it the entry lobby of the Crown Plaza hotel in N Augusta SC. It is five feet square.
Load More Replies... #9
Final score:
26points
#11
The bird eats the bug, the bug eats the bird. The unavoidable cycle of life.
Final score:
24points
#12
I mostly use turkey feather from domestic farm raised varieties. They come in many patterns and browns, russet reds, and blacks.
Final score:
24points
Chris Maynard (Submission author) 5 years ago
This was a commission for a guy who had three kinds of woodpeckers nesting in his tree.
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#14
Final score:
23points
#15
Final score:
21points
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
Wow, I would have thought that this was a water-colour painting. Love the use of negative spacing and colour in this piece.
#16
Final score:
20points
#17
Final score:
20points
#18
Final score:
20points
#19
Final score:
19points
#21
Final score:
19points
#25
Final score:
18points
Sharon Hyatt 5 years ago
Incredible detail in these amazing, delicate cut-out bits of feather... ALL of these works of art ! ! !
#26
Final score:
18points
#27
Final score:
17points
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
Gorgeous- it makes me think of the traditional Chinese and Japanese ink paintings.
#28
Final score:
17points
N’Baro Atksteel X377 5 years ago
I wonder what made these feathers. I have one like these at home. Without the cutouts, of course.
Chris Maynard (Submission author) 5 years ago
These are the tails from a macaw parrot
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#29
Final score:
17points
#32
Final score:
13points
#43
Final score:
10points
#45
Final score:
10points
#48
Final score:
8points
#49
Final score:
8points
#50
Final score:
7points
Denis Brown 5 years ago
These show talent of course, but more than that, you show what can be done with talent combined with intelligence and love for his subject. These pieces require meticulous planning, a sure hand in execution, and patience above all. There is tension between exuberance and restraint, balance and chaos, soaring hope and bleak despair. You are one of the artists worth watching this century and I think your work will be featured in Art History texts in years to come.
Chris Maynard (Submission author) 5 years ago
Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
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What do you think ?
Up All Night 5 years ago
My guess is that the feathers must be treated with something to avoid "falling apart" while carving. It reminds me of intricate paper cutting art pieces, but I think paper is a more forgiving medium. I like the subtlety of the tiny forms. Did you consider something bigger, like ostrich feather?
Sarah Brinsfield 5 years ago
That would be a huge canvas! And do tell us what you treat the feathers with? Quarantine 2020 PA, USA.
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Oskar vanZandt 5 years ago
I upvoted them all because they're all so incredible! I can't fathom what creativity, skill and patience people working in this type of medium must have...
Mieke Sorée 5 years ago
These are ridiculously incredible! I read the caption and thought "yeah right, hand-carved". But holy s**t, he actually hand-carves feathers!!
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
These are all stunning- the level of intricacy is mind-blowing! I had a really hard time picking a personal favourite.
Up All Night 5 years ago
My guess is that the feathers must be treated with something to avoid "falling apart" while carving. It reminds me of intricate paper cutting art pieces, but I think paper is a more forgiving medium. I like the subtlety of the tiny forms. Did you consider something bigger, like ostrich feather?
Sarah Brinsfield 5 years ago
That would be a huge canvas! And do tell us what you treat the feathers with? Quarantine 2020 PA, USA.
Load More Replies... Oskar vanZandt 5 years ago
I upvoted them all because they're all so incredible! I can't fathom what creativity, skill and patience people working in this type of medium must have...
Mieke Sorée 5 years ago
These are ridiculously incredible! I read the caption and thought "yeah right, hand-carved". But holy s**t, he actually hand-carves feathers!!
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 5 years ago
These are all stunning- the level of intricacy is mind-blowing! I had a really hard time picking a personal favourite.
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