Shelley has been a professional sculptor since 1989, and a foundry owner/operator in Joseph, Oregon from 1989 to 1995. Her sculptures are smooth and stylized representational bronzes with rich organic patinas. She has accomplished a wide variety of works including commissioned pieces for five New York City Parks, the U.S. Treasury Department and the U.S. Forest Service. She has also participated in many juried art shows including Loveland, CO.

When Shelley creates a figure, whether animal, human or abstract, she tries to subtly balance her voice with what the subject itself ultimately wants to say. This is a compelling challenge. Her fundamental approach is to deliberately remove detail that detracts from the overall composition and add lines or planes that will enhance the visual impact she is seeking. Usually, less is more. Then her foundry must take on the challenge to produce a top quality bronze that preserves the artist's visual integrity. Given the complexity of the foundry process, that is no small task.

Having been a co-owner and operator of a foundry for six years, Shelley cultivated high standards and respect for the artisans who cast and finish her bronzes. She works with a group of guys close to her home in Joseph, Oregon, that do a wonderful job for her. These guys know exactly what she wants before she puts her signature on each piece. Though she used to get an incredible thrill out of pouring molten bronze into her own shells and playing with patina chemicals, she now devotes more time to her studio.

Shelley has also been Joseph mayor and a major supporter to the artisan community. Please listen to the following Oregon Public Broadcasting MP3 audio stream (Part 2) on Oregon Territory's Art Outreach radio program. Shelley can be heard starting at the 4:40 mark into the audio. Please click here to listen.

Curtiss Bronze Sculptures
The following is a listing of some of the bronze sculptures that Shelley has sold directly or been commissioned to sculpture:

Togo, life-size running sled dog (of Iditarod fame), commission for City of New York, Seward Park, Manhattan Island, 2000.

Purchase by City of New York, Department of Parks and Recreation, of life-size fox Reynard for Fox Park, Manhattan Island, 2000.

He Who Thinks He's Invisible, life-size cougar, commission for Oregon Department of Transportation and City of Joseph, Oregon, now on permanent display, Main Street, Joseph, Oregon, 1999.

Four bas-relief representations of works by Augustus Saint Gaudens, commission for City of New York, Saint Gaudens Memorial Park, Manhattan Island, 1997.

The Beaver Buddies, two pairs of life-size beavers, commission for City of New York, Riverside Park and Jacob Schiff Park, Manhattan Island, New York, 1996.

Echoes From the Canyon, series (3) of Native American Art Representations from Hell's Canyon, commission for U. S. Forest Service, Hell?s Canyon Visitors Center, Enterprise, Oregon, 1995.

Reproductions of 1860s era Bronze Chandeliers, U. S. Treasury Department, U. S. Treasury Building adjacent to the White House, Andrew Johnson Suite, 1993.

The River Walkers, two larger-than-life (6-feet tall) blue herons sculpted into a fountain, commission for Walker River Resort, Smith, Nevada, 1991.

Sold the top priced sculpture at Art in the Park, Loveland, CO, 1994.

Other bronze sculptures can be viewed at curtissstudios.com.