Cloak of Feathers

Cloak of Feathers was released in 1997 as part of the Portal set, an introductory expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. This set was designed specifically to simplify gameplay for newcomers, replacing complex timing rules with a more accessible structure that played entirely during a player's turn. By focusing on fundamental mechanics and evocative top-down design, the set aimed to lower the barrier to entry for the rapidly growing hobby.

The card’s illustration was crafted by Rebecca Guay, an artist widely celebrated for her soft, ethereal, and watercolor-based aesthetic that contrasted sharply with the darker, high-contrast styles prevalent in 1990s fantasy art. Her work on this card depicts the spell’s effect—granting a creature the ability to fly—with a delicate, dreamlike quality. Upon its release, Guay’s contributions became highly regarded for bringing a distinct, painterly elegance to the game's visual identity.