Elaine Maisel is a visual artist specializing in detailed miniature paintings on feathers. She is an active member of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi and has been an interdisciplinary teaching artist for the Mississippi Children’s Museum and the Mississippi Arts Commission. In addition to her work as a painter, Dr. Maisel is a professional musician, playing bassoon and contrabassoon as a tenured member of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. Elaine offers classes and workshops for all ages and abilities, emphasizing creativity and the science of feathers.

Using acrylic and small brushes to paint miniature illustrations and designs, she sews the completed feather onto the board with a needle and thread. Feathers are washed and dried before painting, but they are not stiffened or hardened. Some feathers are smaller than a pea, while others are up to some over two feet long. It can be difficult to tell what size feather you see when looking at photos of Elaine’s work, as feathers are fractal.