Here's the story of a man trained in biology and ecology that chose to leave the scientific world behind to turn to a career in art. The only thing he took with him from his previous training is the scalpel and surgical scissors, which are his version of pencils and brushes. The Washington-based artist Chris Maynard has been working with feathers since he was 12.
His first tools were real vintage forceps, eye surgery scissors, and magnifying glasses that were passed down in his family from generation to generation. His process of collecting the feathers is no picnic either. Instead of leisurely scavenging in the park, Maynard works with zoos and private aviaries. With these high-quality materials, his artworks come out as pristine as possible. No birds are harmed in the process, as all the feathers he uses are shed naturally by the birds.
