Elaine Maisel

Ridgeland, MS

Feathers

Surface Design

Guild member since 2012

Elaine says she paints on feathers because she likes how the shape, size, and specific demands of feathers challenges her creatively, focusing her attention on detailed, mindful, miniature work. Like watercolor, there is little room for error. Once the brush touches the feather, it cannot be erased. The feathers she uses are responsibly sourced from small family farms, parrot owners, and local turkey hunters. Through her craft and work as a teaching artist for the Mississippi Arts Commission, she enjoys being able to bring together the subjects of nature, conservation, the sciences, and art.