Cut Feather Artwork by Chris Maynard

Chris Maynard from Washington uses scalpel, an eye surgery tool, to cut and to carve poetic works of art out of various bird feathers acquired from zoos and private aviaries. Each unique feather piece is moved and arranged in a shadow box that is handcrafted.

“Each feather, though dead and discarded, keeps something of the bird’s essence,” Maynard shares. Indeed, the colorful and sometimes humorous creations highlight the feather’s beauty but also encourages us to ponder the life of its previous owner. “Since I work mostly with shed feathers, some of the birds that grew them are likely still living.”  - via.

In his work, he often tries to use feathers of the same bird he is portraying for example swan feathers for a swan, peacock feathers for a peacock . He makes sure that the feathers retain their original colors, textures and shapes as they were on the bird.

"Owl for One and One for Owl" the shadow box at the top is inspired by Charlie Harper’s piece, "Owltercation" as well as Chris watching three crows chasing an owl out of the tall fir tree in his neighborhood.