As an artist, there's a certain thrill in watching an idea unfold into a tangible masterpiece. This excitement was palpable in my latest creation, "Majestic Peacock Jewel." This artwork stands as a testament to the intricate and mesmerizing beauty of nature—particularly, of course, the peacocks that strut proudly in a garden I visited last year. Of course, I have seen many peacocks at zoos, but there was one in particular that I will call “Henry” for this article. He had so much character, I knew it was time for me to make another paper-sculpted peacock.

At the garden, there are many gorgeous peacocks walking freely around the grounds—both male and female. One peacock, Henry, seemed to own the place and must have felt as though he was the king of the park. During certain times of the year, peacocks may become a bit more aggressive and will sometimes even chase people…I may know a little something about that too!

I forgot how tall the peacocks were when they have their tail feathers raised until I saw them once again in person. I think they are probably about 5 feet tall, which is huge, but beautiful when they display their fanciful feathers. They will proudly do this as soon as he spots one of the many peahens on the property.

Now, those poor peahens are shockingly unattractive in comparison. You can’t help but feel sorry for them. No greenish jade-colored tail feathers for them, just the drab, dark gray short feathers. I mean, I get it and understand that she needs to be a bit drab in color because it will help her protect her eggs and the baby peachicks and all. But she is really so different looking than the male peacocks. Perhaps she is still the one with all the power!?

Even during our lunch at the gardens, many male peacocks came up to the outdoor patio, ready to put on a show for all the guests—flaunting their long jade and green tail feathers, dancing around in circles to show off to the peahens, and shaking and rattling their tail feathers. It is quite the show, as the peacocks are parading all around and posing for the latest photo shoot. It was so fun to watch them. I can’t even begin to tell you how thankful I was that we were able to eat inside the café. While I love watching these birds, I love the safe, calm environment of the indoor café. But many people were perfectly comfortable eating outside with the large, inquisitive birds that are not shy at all around people!

That is a little bit of the backstory to the inspiration of “Majestic Peacock Jewel.” Watching the peacocks and the peahens inspired me to want to create a new peacock picture out of paper and paint.

Peacocks have so many different textures and feathers on their bodies. I wanted to show the different types in my 3D paper sculpture peacock, concentrating on a portion of his body—mainly his head, neck, and just a small portion of the tail feathers.

I wanted to give him an air of importance and display some of his regal attitude, which is why I added the gold swirls in the background. I used vibrant orangish golden yellows in the background, too, to brighten and contrast against the vibrant dark blue of the peacock’s head.

At first glance, this piece captivates with its lifelike portrayal of a peacock, boasting a vibrant blue body and an elaborate, colorful tail. Every eyespot within the tail feathers has been meticulously hand-painted, adding a spectrum of color that dances within the frame. Surrounding the peacock, a gradient of warm hues shifts from fiery oranges to verdant greens, embellished with swirling patterns and leafy details. This isn’t just a backdrop; it's a textured sea that breathes additional life and depth into the scene.

The medium used for "Majestic Peacock Jewel" is what makes it truly unique. This isn’t just a painted image; it is a composition of hand-cut paper and paint artfully combined to create a three-dimensional effect. Each feather was individually crafted, hand-painted, and cut with precision. This labor-intensive process was a labor of love—one that demanded patience and attention to the tiniest of details.

Crafting this piece allowed me to blend elements of realism with the elegance of decorative art, producing a captivating, layered appearance. The framed result not only highlights the dimensional aspect of the work but also invites viewers to step closer, to explore the textures and the depth that paper and paint can achieve together.

"Majestic Peacock Jewel" is more than just an artwork; it's a vibrant celebration of the peacock's beauty and my homage to the enchanting gardens that first inspired this journey.

This is one of my largest pieces, measuring in at 9.75” x 13” in a 15” x 12” shadowbox frame. $2850.00 You can view “Majestic Peacock Jewel” in person or online at Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, NC.