Chris Maynard: The Art of Feathers | Artist Interview

In this SJIMA artist interview, feather artist Chris Maynard sits down with Marney Reynolds, SJIMA Trustee and Lead Docent, to talk about the work on view in Feathered Masterpieces: The Artistry of Chris Maynard — his first exhibition in the San Juan Islands, on display in the North Gallery through September 14, 2026. Maynard traces his fascination with feathers back to age 12, picking up flamingo feathers on a zoo visit with his grandfather, and walks through how that early curiosity grew into a singular art form: carving naturally shed bird feathers into intricate scenes using surgery-grade tools. He explains why he backs and lifts each feather away from the background rather than pasting it flat — preserving its natural curve so it casts real shadows — and why a laser or X-Acto knife could never do the job. Plan Your Visit Feathered Masterpieces: The Artistry of Chris Maynard is on view in the North Gallery through September 14, 2026, at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art, 540 Spring Street, Friday Harbor. Summer Hours: Thursday–Monday, 11 AM–5 PM Admission: $10 general | Free for members and visitors under 18 | Pay-what-you-like Mondays #sjima #ChrisMaynard #featherart