Sonia Wentser, Master Painter with Feathers

Painters are always looking to create the ultimate masterpiece. Many experiment with oil paint or water-color, but very few use organic materials to imitate paint strokes. Sonia Wentser, however, took a cue from the Chinese and Pre-Columbian civilizations and used feathers, in lieu of paint, to create her background. Born in 1920s in Russia, Sonia grew up during the rough times of WWII, though her and her husband were able to avoid much entanglement by moving to Brussels and eventually emigrating to Canada. While Sonia had always been an artist she didn't create her first feather painting until 1960, entitled "The Fire Bird". From that first painting til now, she has created over 200 works of art, three of of which are kept at the Musée d'Art Contemporain of Montreal.


This technique is much more than just gluing feathers to the background. As canvas the artist uses a thin wooden board covered with fabric. Not only does the artist have to precisely place feathers on the canvas to create the background, they also have to understand the structure of the feather. Because of their tri-dimensional structure, feathers have their own way of reflecting light and of course the various shapes and sizes adds to the complexity of the painting. Without oil paint or water-color, the artists have to create the effect of paintbrush strokes with feathers. Sonia Wentser still resides in Canada and has a book scheduled for release on these feather paintings.

images copyright Sonia Wentser

Using a Feather Duster to Paint

While feather dusters are generally used to make your house spick and span, this common household item can also make for a great paintbrush. If you're tired of plain old painted walls, why not add some cool texture to really wow your friends. Just follow the directions below. [How-to Source: eHow]


Materials:
Feather Duster
3 different colors of paint (light, mid, dark)
Roller and Paint Tray
Tarp

Directions
1. Prep your room as you would for any painting. Paint your entire wall surface with the middle tone color. This will become your base color and it should be the tone you prefer. The other two paint colors will add depth and highlights.

2. Keep in mind that feather dusters can throw paint during your application, so cover any surface that may get splattered. Mix and pour one of your paints into a paint tray or onto a plastic plate. Keep your paper bags handy.

3. Wet the tips of the feather duster with paint, but make sure it is not dripping. As you work your feather duster, it will become too wet and the marks it will make will not be as nice. Pounce off excess paint on your paper bags each time you put paint on your feather duster.

4. When painting, try for consistent inconsistency. Work one color around the room using several feather dusters as needed. Do not try to cover the base paint; you are simply adding to the color or enhancing it. You want the base color to come through.

5. When you have completed the first feather dusted color, clean up and do the second feather dusted color. You can work the walls wet or dry. You will have different effects if you allow paint to dry between coats. Again, now you are trying to allow two colors to show through, so this round of painting may require a lighter touch. You will quickly discover a certain pattern or look that will emerge that you favor. Reserve two clean feather dusters for later use.

6. After your complete second round of feather duster painting, pour two more plates--one in your base color and one in your first color. Go over your walls slowly to adjust any areas that are too heavy or too light in any of the three shades. Again, if you have worked the room wet, then do this wet; if you have allowed each coat to dry, do this final pass after the second feather duster painted coat has dried. Your finished look should appear monotone or tonal, but not three obvious colors.

This will give your room depth and a vibrant appearance. And the best part is that you made the room look great with a little ingenuity and creativity. Try it sometime!