About Ontogenie
Ontogenie is jewelry and design inspired by science and nature. From microscopic plankton to plants, animals, and fossils, my mission is to illustrate the beauty of nature. All designs are my original work, whether jewelry or watercolor paintings.
Who I am
I'm a former scientist, a nature lover, and a 3D printing design fanatic. In 2010, after several years of postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, I left laboratory science so that my work schedule could be more flexible for my family, and to pursue scientific art. I learned how to use Blender, a 3D modeling and animation software, and created short videos to explain scientific research topics. When I realized that my animation models could be adapted for 3D printing and that it was possible to 3D print precious metals, I started Ontogenie. Recently, I have been painting biological topics with ink and watercolor. My goal is to create jewelry and art that is meaningful to scientists.
My designs are inspired by the intricate and iconic patterns and shapes that can only be found in nature. I'm a fan of the graphical art of Ernst Haeckel, the photography of Karl Blossfeldt, and the sprayers that make street art throughout Europe. When I'm not sculpting a new jewelry design or painting something biological, I'm out hiking in the forest or urban sketching.
How I create
Ontogenie jewelry and 3D-printed designs are created using a combination of modern and ancient technology. Using three-dimensional CAD software, I sculpt my designs by hand in the virtual reality of my computer.
I send my sculpt files to my production partners in the Netherlands and Belgium where they are 3D printed in wax before being cast in silver, bronze or brass by the centuries-old process of lost wax casting. Most of my cast metal pieces are then lightly polished to give them a smooth glossy texture, whereas the more ornate pieces are left unpolished to preserve fine details.
My paintings are created in watercolor or ink and wash. The paintings are scanned and printed digitally as art prints, t-shirts, mugs, hoodies, etc. I collaborate with a print-on-demand company that prints at local companies throughout the world to reduce the transit time and distance to you.
When you order
I try to keep as many pieces as possible in stock, but if I don't have the jewelry you want on hand, please allow 3-4 weeks for printing before I can ship.
My T-shirts, mugs, hoodies and art prints are print on demand and usually ship within 2-7 days.
Shipping times are dependent on where you live in the world. All jewelry is gift-wrapped in original Ontogenie packaging and shipped by tracked mail. I use as many recyclable materials as possible in my shipping to protect our oceans from plastics.
Other places to buy
Kimberly Falk's Fine Art America Shop
If you have questions that I haven't answered, drop me a line through the contact form or email me directly at ontogenie3d@gmail.com, or post your comments and questions on my Ontogenie Instagram or Ontogenie Facebook accounts.
Kimberly Falk