Q&A with... Deborah Moses
We chat to Deborah Moses, Owner of The Silver Zebra Studio
Deborah, The Silver Zebra studio is located at Fields Farm, Middlewich, and was set up back in 2004. What led you to the point of setting up your own design studio?
As a classically trained chef by trade, creativity and imagination was a large part of my early career and I wanted to pursue that side of my personality further. From the age of two, you could find a crayon or pencil in my hand as Mum’s old cookery books will testify! So, in 2002, I started to think about the direction this could take and as my Dad worked in glass, I thought why not work in that medium. The studio was then established after a couple of years of thought and experimenting.
You offer training and classes at the studios for those looking to learn your skills, what can people expect from the experience?
Visitors come along, some armed with books and sketches, others tentatively take their place stating that they can’t draw but after some refreshments, demonstrations and tutorial they are soon on their way to creating their own fabulous glass projects. Many return - some from overseas - which is so rewarding. Several have gone on to produce their own door panels, sculpture and splashbacks here. A freshly made lunch is provided using our home grown and locally sourced produce, and in the summer we often offer an afternoon tea with homemade scones. The chef in me is always there. Art is a therapy - I’ve observed this in my studio - it helps people relax and talk. I could probably write a book on that side of art that I never expected to see.
You are well known for your luxury glass sculptures, can you talk us through your process from commission to final art piece?
IIt really depends if the client has seen a piece on the website and specifies an alternative size and colour etc or it can be their own idea and we collaborate looking at designs and samples, but I’m pretty intuitive which helps. Other clients just supply a budget, show their space and leave it with me to develop a design, even with the smaller vessels and sculptures. The commission starts after the client is happy with the design. They can pop by the studio to see progress or for those further afield I’m happy to send images. The glass is cut by hand and fine particles of glass called frit are incorporated to add colour. The cut glass also adds form as I love texture and other designs require fine detailing, so we work with enamels specific for fusing. Work is fired in a kiln with some pieces needing several firings to achieve the required result. Commissions - say the wall panels for example - will need installing, of which some clients are happy to undertake themselves or we can install for them. It’s the final piece of the jigsaw seeing the commission in place. I just love creating individual pieces for individual people. Each commission is exclusive with no replications.
Your mixed media canvases are proving popular - what inspires this work?
Yes! I had an interior designer visit a few years ago and caught me with my sleeves rolled up and covered in paint and gesso. My paintings were just a therapy really, I find it a relaxing immersive medium to work in. So since then, my paintings are in demand just as much as my glass.
Could you talk us through some of the private commissions you have done?
Gosh, there’s been so many but there’s a private hospital in Manchester that stands out. They must have at least eighteen wall panels installed, all of which were fun and technically challenging to work on. I had a lovely retired couple once who saved to make a purchase which was really touching, towards the end I just delivered the piece with a note to say it was discounted. I know I’m a softy. One of the smallest but most beautiful was producing wings for a mechanical dragonfly, she was just fabulous. And to one of the biggest, commissioned by Cheshire Council for Tatton Park. It was a 5 x 5 metre structure of bicycles suspended on scaffolding each depicting glass scenes of Cheshire, this was commissioned for the Tour of Britain race of which I also produced the winner’s trophy.
You have four fabulous new collections available - could you tell us a little about them?
HD “High definition” - A series of mixed media canvases, vibrant and colourful, high definition for our decor rather than our screens.
“Nature” - Hand-crafted gilded mirrors decorated in the Renaissance style inspired by nature, the flamingo mirror is my favourite in the collection.
“Black” - Textured wall canvases with 23k gold accents, capturing shadows and reflecting light. The juxtaposition of the matte black and reflective gold leaf looks stunning.
“Bronze” - Something rather special that has been in development for some time. Available as a console or coffee table, finished in satin black with polished brass uprights, available with a bronze, antique or black mirrored inserts.
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