Welcome, Bird Talk readers!!
Hello and thank you for your interest in my painted feathers!Please stay tuned to this page for updates, and feel free to email me at any time with inquiries. Email me at: nam_art@hotmail.com with the subject of "Painted Feather". I welcome any inquiries or questions you may have! Best wishes and featherdust!
I have a funny story for you. I am just an individual trying to run my art business, and I seem to have had some sort of miscommunication with the fine folks that publish Bird Talk Magazine. As a featherhead and someone who is owned by several parrots myself, time got a head of me and I had misunderstood that the issue you've seen my work in was destined to be released not before August 2008. Well here we are, and the magazine is out and I'm not ready! Imagine my embarrassment!!
I will be away, doing an art show (with the feather painted like a Spix's macaw), until around July 4th. At that time you'd better believe I will be painting feathers like a thing possessed!
Until then you are welcome to browse my site and get a feel for my work. My Painted Feathers, specifically, can be viewed here:
Gallery of Hand Painted Feathers
While my other work can be located in the following galleries:
General Artwork Galleries
About my painted feathers:
My feathers come from several sources. All of the parrot feathers I paint on are molted from happy, healthy birds. I steam clean the feathers, then carefully and with tiny brushes, paint the images you see on them with acrylic paints. I sometimes adorn the feather shaft with gemstones.
To answer some questions...
Where do you get your feathers?
I have long been an admirer of birds and parrots. I have been owned by parrots and other birds since I was age 5, and I worked with them professionally for about 5 years when I was temporarily living in TX. I'm currently owned by two pionus parrots and two cockatiels, and have many friends with lots of feathered friends. All this in addition to my affinity for collecting feathers has left me in no short supply!
Can I send you a feather to paint on?
For the most part, yes. If you want to send me a feather from your bird to do a portrait on I'd love to work with you! Wider feathers work best (tail and secondary flight feathers seem to be the best) and about the minimum size I can realistically work on is 3" long, or 1" wide. Don't despair if you have a small feathered friend; it is possible to take several of their feathers and create a 'fan' to paint across. Anything is possible, so please feel free to contact me if you want to discuss the possibility. I cannot accept feathers from birds native to the United States/North America unless they are legal game birds. Essentially, I cannot accept wild bird feathers from North American birds, as these are illegal for me to possess. If you are unsure, you are welcome to send me a question!
Can you paint my pet's portrait onto a feather?
Yes, I'd love to work with you and paint the portrait of whatever lucky creature owns you onto a feather! Please read on for how to contact me! If I'm lucky, I may even be able to get my Bronze Winged Pionus, Khu, to help...
Do you have any existing feather paintings for sale?
I have all of my existing paintings listed for sale here. I know it's not much right now- and I feel silly for the misunderstanding that led me to be unprepared. I am working on new pieces at this very moment and should have many available by the end of July. If there is something specific you'd like to see, please contact me, I welcome all suggestions.
Do you frame the feathers?
I can frame the feather at an additional cost, and additional shipping fee. However, I find that most of my customers prefer to pick out their own frame and this cuts down on the additional fees I would charge. I will gladly mat and mount the feather if desired for an additional fee (but far less expensive than framing costs). If unframed, I always send directions for framing methods and proper care of the feather.
Where can you ship the feathers to?
Due to complications with customs, and the ban on export of bird 'products' (unfortunately this includes molted feathers) to many countries I am unable to ship my feathers internationally. Feathers ship easily and safely anywhere within the USA.
How much do they cost?
This is a very important question, and a hard one to answer without knowing more. My already-painted pieces are priced in the link above. For commission work, it varies depending on: Size of feather, complexity of painting, detail level, and finally if the feather is being supplied or not. Here are some samples of baseline costs. Each project is individual, and as such has an individual price. For custom painted feathers, here are some baselines:
-Small feather (3"-5"): Starting at $50
-Medium feather (5"-10"): Starting at $100
-Large feather (10-15"): Starting at $150
-Super huge feather (macaw tail feathers, etc): Starting at $200
-Small 'fan', image painted across several feathers: Starting at $100
-Medium to large fans: Starting at $200
Again, these prices fluctuate greatly depending on complexity and other factors. These may seem expensive, but you will receive a custom painted, on of a kind piece of artwork.
