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Kelfer Studios
Deborah Kelfer
Artist Profile
Artist Quote
“I derive great pleasure from creating a beautiful piece, sculpted in silver or bronze. However, just as importantly is the delight they bring to others.”
Artist Statement
Deborah is delighted by flowers whether in garden, field or in such rarified materials as gold in the orchids of The Huntington Gardens in San Marino, CA or the flower creations of Faberge. She wanted to create a contemporary, elegant approach to botanical design. Working in sterling silver and enameling has given her the material and techniques to create a truly elegant body of work.
Technique
Deborah creates these unique, botanical orchid pieces by first sculpting a wax model of the blossom and then uses the "lost wax casting method" to create the silver or bronze flower. She fabricates, chases and enamels the leaves and engraves the stems. Finally Deborah brings the flowers, buds, leaves and stems together and arranges them in selected vases.
Training
Deborah holds a Ph.D. and an MBA from MIT. With this background she researches the history of botanical design and marries these with old and new world fabrication techniques. She has studied jewelry design and fabrication at the GIA, Revere academy in San Francisco, chasing and repousse with Valentin Yatkov in NYC, enameling with Harlan Butt, and Ikebana from the Sogetsu School in Los Angeles.
Collaboration
Kelfer Studios is a collaboration by the husband and wife team of Deborah Kelfer and Harvey Leshnick. Deborah and Harvey collaborate on projects and work from their studio in Malibu, CA. Harvey's engineering background ensures that each piece meets exacting quality standards. They are pleased to work with individual clients on custon projects.
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