Christopher T Maynard

Other name
featherfolio
Born
1954
Nationality
American
Country
United States
City
Olympia

Maynard works with feathers from turkeys, parrots, peacocks, and other birds and crafts them into scenes that are displayed in his world-renowned shadow boxes. A conservationist at heart, Maynard’s feathers are legally obtained. Many of the feathers are naturally shed which means that the birds they came from may still be alive.  

 Maynard’s work is included in collections and publications in North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia. His book, Feathers, Form & Function, highlights his work and tells stories about what feathers are, what roles they fill for birds, and why people find them alluring. He is working on another book or two.

Backed naturally shed feather and carved into a bird flight theme
Occupation
artist
Address
8211 Ayer Street SE
Languages
English
Biography

Chris Maynard combines his artistic sense and scientific knowledge into a new art form. His message is one of beauty and appreciation of life.  

He uses surgery tools to carve the feathers while striving to respect their form. He sets them apart from the background so their shapes are enhanced as they cast shadows. Unlike a painter’s palette, the choice of colors in feathers is quite limited. Nevertheless, Maynard keeps the natural colors and patterns of each feather. 

Many of the birds whose shed feathers he recycles into his art are still alive. He gets his feathers from aviaries and all are legal to have.

Since feathers can represent flight, transformation, and a bridge between our present lives and our dreams, Mr. Maynard is grateful that his art has hit a soft-spot in the hearts of many people and cultures. His work is in museums and private collections in North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia and has been featured in print and online around the world. Mr. Maynard’s recent book, Feathers Form and Function highlights his art while informing us about what feathers are, how they grow, what they do for birds, and what they mean to us.

Exhibitions
2023
Birds Eye View
Wilding Museum, Solvang, CA
Group
2023
Chris Maynard
Early Birds Art Gallery, Knokke, Belgium
Solo
2018
Chris Maynard: Feathers
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Solo
2017
Chris Maynard's Feather Art
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
Solo
Testimonial
Quote
Fine art takes flight in Chris Maynard's shadow boxes made with ethically sourced feathers. --May 2020 National Geographic Magazine
"... sure to intrigue and delight birdfolk and artfolk alike.” --Robert Bateman, Canadian artist
"The link between bird and mind is what animates this..." --Orion Magazine 2015
Links
Media
Representation
Artist Agent
I have an agent
Agent name
Gerald Peters Gallery