A Masterpiece on a Feather

From ancient times, people have used feathers in pillows, for decorations, and as accessories. More recently, feathers have been used as pens. But using a feather as a canvas for art is an even newer concept. Known as “feather art”, this art involves painting images onto feathers.

Feather art is practiced by many people all over the world. One of the most famous feather artists is the painter Julie Thompson, who began feather art in the early 1990s. She uses feathers that are shed naturally by domesticated birds, such as peacocks and turkeys. Trained as an artist, she began painting feathers because she wanted to put to use all the broad wing feathers that her mother’s peacocks would shed.

She had never seen this type of art before, but knowing the bonding properties of acrylic paint, she thought it would work. She began with simple subject matters, but soon expanded her range. Julie is inspired by the beauty and grandeur of nature and by the culture of Native Americans. The main themes of her artworks are the remarkable wild animals and birds of America.

Creating each detailed painting requires much effort, and a single feather painting can take as many as 18 hours to complete. Each creation costs 275 USD and comes fully framed. Examples of her work can be viewed on her website http://www.featherlady.net

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