Melinda Fabian Melinda Fabian

#BirdArtWeek2025

Cornell Lab of Ornithology hosted a “BirdArtWeek2025 on Instagram, inviting artists to share their bird art on Instagram. Here are just some of the birds I’ve created over the years. Which bird should I make next?

Cornell Lab of Ornithology Invites Artists to Share their Bird Art During #BirdArtWeek2025 on Instagram - (@cornellbirds) in a week long event where you could post images of your bird art work. Even though I am not currently working on a paper sculpture of a bird, I have definitely created many birds over the years. I drew many illustrations of birds for magazine editorial pages such as these robins and also my own line of Can You Find?® greeting cards such as this owl illustration . But, I also created many three-dimensional birds out of hand cut paper and paint. I thought it would be fun to see how many paper sculpted birds I created over the years. Here’s a few examples:

That’s a lot of birds! There are probably a few more that I missed, but I like this sampling! Do you think I should make another paper sculpted bird? Which one should I do next? Some of the three-dimensional paper sculpted birds are available for purchase. Please let me know if you would like more information.

Read More
Melinda Fabian Melinda Fabian

"Ruffled Feathers" - A Paper Sculpture of a Pink Flamingo

“Ruffled Feathers” - a three-dimensional paper sculpture feathered bird - all handmade out of paper.

Introducing "Ruffled Feathers" - A Delicate Paper Flamingo Sculpture by Melinda Fabian

Ever wondered what it takes to capture the grace and charm of a flamingo in a piece of art? Well, I’m here to tell you all about my paper sculpture creation, "Ruffled Feathers," a meticulously crafted paper sculpture that brings the flamboyant (pun totally intended) flamingo to life in the most intricate and delightful way.

This beauty stands at a petite 4.25 x 4 inches, and let me tell you, it was no small feat! Every feather, every tiny detail is made out of hand-cut paper and carefully painted to mimic the flamingo's eye-catching feathered attire. Yes, you heard me right—hand-cut paper!

The sculpture features our star flamingo standing with one leg casually raised, looking as if it just paused mid-strut during a dance number. Talk about elegance! And it's not just floating in space; this graceful bird is displayed under a glass dome sitting on a sturdy wooden base, which adds an extra touch of class.

To make things even more interesting, I decided to include some elements of the flamingo's natural habitat on the base. There's sandy terrain, and small patches of grass to make our pink friend feel right at home. The lifelike quality of the setup is designed to make you feel like you're observing a real flamingo in its natural environment.

Now, why a flamingo, you ask? Flamingos are incredibly fun to watch; they have these comically long legs and necks that move in the most fascinating ways. They're like the jesters and ballerinas of the bird world! Their playful and whimsical nature was my main inspiration. I mean, how can you not fall in love with a creature that often looks like it’s dancing in a silent ballet?

So, that's "Ruffled Feathers" in a nutshell (or should I say in a glass dome?). This project was a labor of love, with each piece of paper and brushstroke contributing to the final masterpiece. I hope it brings as much joy and wonder to you as it did to me while creating it.

This handcrafted paper flamingo sculpture is a perfect addition for art buyers, collectors, and flamingo enthusiasts looking for one-of-a-kind art pieces. This project was a labor of love, with each piece of paper and brushstroke contributing to the final masterpiece. I hope it brings as much joy and wonder to you as it did to me while creating it. “Ruffled Feathers” can be viewed in person or online at Seaside Art Gallery

Read More