Jess McKay Puppets

05/14/2023

BIG BIRD (2023) Photo by Jess McKay, Hollywood Blvd. 5/13/23 .

05/09/2023

Follow Feather Phase Out to learn more about this

South African model David Miller is speaking up for ostriches—who are native to his home country—by showing what these sensitive birds are forced to endure b...

05/02/2023

Developing a new workflow, using ai tools in the design/pre-visualization steps for . Now pattern making for the foam head of one of the puppets.

04/14/2023

Just finished some character designs. All of these puppets will be made with REAL ostrich feather decorations. The feathers have been donated by makers who have decided to no longer use real feathers. During the show, the puppet friends of Kindness Town will learn how the feathers on their heads were obtained, and they will almost immediately change out the feathers for more ethical materials. Follow for more frequent updates as this project progresses. Who is your favorite citizen of Kindness Town?

03/30/2023

There is not a lot of backbone or integrity in the puppet industry. Prove me wrong.

02/23/2023

From time to time I get asked for evidence or proof that many puppets are decorated with real feathers, so here are some sources. The fourth slide is a diagram of feather anatomy. Once we understand feather anatomy it is much easier to identify real feathers. Any time you see ‘barbules’ coming off of barbs, that’s a strong sign that the feather is likely real. Materials science hasn’t yet achieved a feather replacement that has barbules. The final slide is an example of real ostrich feathers labeled for sale as “artificial feathers”. This is a common mislabeling. They mean the colors are artificial. The feathers are real. I hope this information will help you to more accurately and effectively advocate for this issue.

02/22/2023

As the organizer of the recent (legal and non-violent) protest against the Jim Henson Company's use of real feathers, I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease as I watched the events unfold. I had expected some pushback from the company, but I never imagined they would go so far as to shut down the public sidewalk and hire police to protect that space. It was clear that they were trying to stifle our constitutional right to free speech.

But what really worried me was the presence of the police.

As a white cis straight man I am aware of my own privilege when it comes to interactions with law enforcement. However, the reality is that police can be a danger to everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity.

By hiring the police to protect their private property and shutting down the public sidewalk, the Henson Company put both the protestors and the general public in greater danger.

Even if we were not breaking any laws, the police could still see us as a threat and respond with violence. I had to consider the safety of everyone involved, from the protesters to the pedestrians just trying to go about their day.

It's unfortunate that the Henson Company chose to escalate the situation in this way, putting everyone in greater danger. The police were not there to serve and protect, but rather to do the bidding of a private corporation. It's a sobering reminder of the power dynamics at play in our society, and how those with money and influence can use the system to their advantage.
Art by .pole.dancer

02/20/2023

I have a lot to say about what happened yesterday and I will share the story of the day and my thoughts about it all in the coming days. Thanks to all. For now I just want to share that many people asked me “when is the next one?” STAY TUNED. Photo by

02/19/2023

.pole.dancer and I showed up to Henson today with a preview of tomorrow’s demonstration. We talked to a lot of the audience leaving the afternoon show and arriving to the evening show. Many people were very supportive and agreed with us that should stop using real feathers to decorate puppets.

02/17/2023

Isn’t it ironic? Don’t ya think? It’s like huuuuuurting birds and then preaching about kindness 🎵

02/08/2023

Worked with a great team to help bring this project to life. Check out the results in 2 episodes of ‘Mad and Madder’ on the Nike YouTube channel. Congrats to Lebron James on breaking the NBA all-time scoring record.

02/02/2023