About Curtiss Studios & Enterprises

Shelley Curtiss is a highly skilled and creative professional sculptor who has over fifteen years of success and experience in sculpturing, casting, promoting and selling bronzes.  To read more about her, click on Curtiss Artist Bio.  Curtiss Studios, which is her home, art studio, photo studio, and business office, is located in the small town of Joseph, a lovely art mecca at the foot of the Wallowa Mountains of Northeast Oregon, named in honor of the famous Nez Perce chief, Chief Joseph.  She and her sales manager Heath A. Curtiss produce and market the limited edition bronzes you can see at this Website and which are displayed in various galleries throughout the West.

Heath, the primary contact person at curtissstudios.com, has many years of experience in the production of fine art bronzes and deals with private and corporate buyers, galleries, dealers, foundries, contractors, shipping companies, and ad agencies.  He tracks each sculpture from the studio, though the mold making and casting processes at a local foundry, to its final destination.  He can answer any questions you may have about pricing and availability and is happy to speak with you, or a dealer of your choice.

 It is our goal to make your visit to our Website easy and informative.  We hope that you will enjoy exploring all the pages that we offer and feel free to drop us a line or two with any questions or comments.  For your convenience, we have briefly answered here some of the questions most frequently asked.

 How Do I Use the Shelley CurtissWebsite to:

 View the Artwork Available?  Just click on Curtiss Limited Editions on the horizontal menu at the top or bottom of your screen.  There you will find thumbnail partial images.  Simply place your cursor on the image you wish to view and click on the image.  A full-scale photo and additional information will appear on the next screen.  Because purchasing fine art is a highly personal, hands-on experience, we recommend that you obtain a list of our galleries by clicking on Curtiss Price Inquiry.  The next screen will put you in contact with galleries where you can view Shelley Curtiss bronzes at your leisure.  You also have the option to purchase a sculpture from our website, view it in your own home and return it within ten days for a full refund if you are not satisfied.  We ask only that the buyer cover shipping costs.

 Get More Information?  Click on Curtiss Price Inquiry on the horizontal menu.  A screen will appear which will provide options for where you wish to direct your query.  You may send your questions or comments directly to Curtiss Studios or to one of the galleries listed.  Once you choose, another screen will appear called the Guest Registry page.  In order for us to respond to your query promptly, we ask for a minimal amount of information about you and how and when to best contact you with answers.  For example, if you leave Curtiss Studios an email address with your questions, we will send our response promptly to you at that address.  If you would like a phone call personally, we will do that.

 Purchase a Shelley Curtiss Bronze?  Click on Curtiss Price Inquiry on the horizontal menu.  The next screen will inform you about where our galleries are located so that you may view and purchase the sculptures personally.  Or, you may decide, based on our excellent reputation, to purchase a piece from us, or a dealer of your choice, directly through our Website.  

Every Shelley Curtiss bronze comes with Our Guarantee that if for any reason you are not satisfied with the quality of your purchase we will buy it back from you at the same price, provided the sculpture is not damaged.  We ask only that the buyer return the piece within ten days and cover all shipping costs.  We are happy to work with you.

 If you prefer to work with your own favorite gallery or dealer, one not listed, simply give them our web address and ask them to contact us at www.curtissstudios.com.  We are happy to sell to you through the gallery or dealer of your choice.  In order for us to respond to your request for purchase promptly, we ask for a minimal amount of information on our Guest Registry page about you and how and when to best contact you.  For example, if you leave us an email address, we will send our response promptly to that address.  If you would like a phone call personally, we will do that during the times you specify. 

You may purchase a Shelley Curtiss bronze, plus shipping and packing, with a valid credit card, check or money order. Should you prefer to use an online escrow service such as Escrow.com, we will be happy to make those arrangements with you.

 What is a Limited Edition Bronze?  When Shelley finishes sculpturing a clay model in her studio, she delivers it to her foundry where duplicates of the clay model will be cast by the lost wax process in bronze.        

At that time, she declares exactly how many duplicates she intends to sell.  For example, the doe, titled “Pastoral”, is an edition of 55, therefore, as each of the bronzes are produced, they are numbered 1/55, 2/55, 3/55 etc.  The edition is Sold Out once all 55 castings are completed.  In addition to the 55 castings which will be produced from the mold, the artist also casts two more copies which are numbered Artist Proof (AP) 1/1 and Foundry Copy (FC) 1/1.    Then the mold is destroyed.  Another bronze will never be produced from that mold. 

When you purchase a Shelley Curtiss  bronze, you are assured that your investment is protected by the highest standards and integrity of the artist.  There will never be an edition of Artist Proofs or Foundry Copies greater than one.

What is a Lost Wax Casting?  When the original clay model is delivered to the foundry and the size of the edition is declared, a rubber and fiberglass mold is made of it.  From that rubber mold, the original model can be duplicated by pouring hot wax into the mold and building up several coats.  Once the wax is cooled, the mold is opened and the duplicate emerges.  This wax “pattern” is then coated with layers of ceramic material to create an investment shell.  Once the shell is dry, it is fired to set the shell, the wax pattern melts out and molten bronze is poured in.  The shell is removed when the metal is cool and then the sculpture is painstakingly welded together and finished.  Sounds easy?  It isn’t.

The highly skilled artisans who cast and finish Shelley Curtiss bronze sculptures at a foundry in NE Oregon are among the best in the nation.

How is Pricing Established on a Bronze?  The pricing of a bronze sculpture is dependent upon several factors.  They include:  a) the complexity and size of the sculpture, (the bigger and more complex, the more it costs), b) the size of the edition, (smaller editions are worth a higher investment on the part of the buyer), c) the popularity or fame of the artist, (popular artists command higher prices), d) the number of sculptures remaining in the edition, (as the sculptures in the edition are sold, they escalate in value), e) occasionally an artist will show an original clay model before it is cast and offer the buying public a “pre-cast price”, which is the lowest price a buyer may pay, (once the “pre-cast” sculptures are cast in bronze, the value of the remaining bronzes again escalates in price).

Check in to our Web Site periodically to see what new “pre-cast” Shelley Curtiss sculptures may be available on the Curtiss Limited Editions page.

How Will I Receive My Bronze Sculpture?  Many of our sculptures are small enough to ship through UPS.  Our larger sculptures are delivered to you by insured commercial shipping firms. 

All Shelley Curtiss  bronzes are carefully packaged or crated by experienced people and fully insured for the replacement costs.

How Can I Secure the Installment of my Bronze in My Lawn or Garden?  All Shelley Curtiss bronzes suitable for outdoor installation come with stainless steel nuts welded securely into the base from which threaded stainless steel extensions may be attached.  These extensions can then be set into concrete or mortar.  If you need further information about your particular installation, we will be happy to speak with you personally.

How Do I Care for My Sculpture?  All Shelley Curtiss  bronzes have traditional patinas that are induced oxidization of the bronze surface, requiring the application of heat and chemical acids.  There is no paint, by any name, on these sculptures.  The richness of the patina is enhanced by applying a coat of hard wax while the piece is still hot, and, then hand-rubbing the surface to a smooth sheen once it is cooled.  All pieces intended for indoor display may be dusted with a soft cloth, wiped with a damp cloth and lightly hand buffed, taking care not to rub through the wax down into the patina.  To add an extra sheen, spray the soft cloth with Lemon Pledge, aerosol only, and polish the surface of the bronze lightly.  Some outdoor pieces are finished with a high quality sealer which requires no waxing.  If you have questions about the care of your bronze, call or write to us.