After months of uncertainty and change, the new normal has become a reality. My time at Reitz Ranch Center for Ceramic Arts has come to an end. It's still hard to believe that ten years ago to the month, I moved from Iowa to Arizona to work with my mentor, Don Reitz. My position evolved from Don's studio assistant to the Ranch's studio manager, and finally as Education Director. These last few months have been unexpected and difficult, to say the least.
However, as one door closes (sometimes quickly due to a pandemic), another opens. My hope is that the Ranch will someday reopen for future generations to come. Until then, my focus is shifting to my own studio. While the Reitz Ranch has been shut down due to the coronavirus, I've had time to set up my studio and begin to make new work.
Read moreWell it seems that I get around to updating my website about once a year now. During the COVID-19 stay at home order, updating my website was high up on my list. Now that we’re a month in, I’ve failed to update. Today that changes.
Read moreIt’s hard to believe it has been over a year since my last update to my website. As everyone can tell, it’s been pushed off for a little too long. LOTS has happened since I previously updated my blog, I’ve gone through another school year teaching for Yavapai College. I started teaching on the Clarkdale campus this last Spring Semester. My family and I bought a house in Camp Verde, Arizona this last month. However, with all of the changes over the past year the largest was accepting a position as the Education and Programming Director at the Reitz Ranch! I’m over-the-moon with the opportunity to work full-time again at the Ranch.
Read moreThe Spring 2018 Open Studio Tour will happen this Friday April 27th to Sunday, April 29th. Our Studio will be open on Friday the 27th and Saturday the 28th from 10 am to 5 pm. On Sunday the 29th we will be open from 12 to 5 pm. Be sure to stop by and see demonstrations by our artists and of course ceramic artwork
Read moreJANUARY 19, 2018 OPENING RECEPTION 5 - 7 PM
EXHIBIT JANUARY 19- FEBRUARY 9, 2018
For years, Don Reitz lived and worked in Clarkdale quietly creating masterpieces at the Ranch. Few in the Verde Valley were aware of the place and the magical activities afoot there. Reitz is considered one of the fathers of modern ceramics, an artist who expanded the medium beyond functional tableware to immense, provocative works of abstract art. His work is in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, and many others.
Over the years, many assistants came to the Reitz Ranch from out of state to apprentice with...
Read moreIt's been a while since I've updated this blog, partly because it's been so incredibly busy. We finished the Reitzagama back in November and unloaded the kiln on December 10. There was a great turnout for the unloading, and the kiln did not disappoint. I walked away with a few excellent pieces. It definitely has me excited to fire another woodkiln again soon!
I'll be uploading images of the events below. Stay Tuned!
Read moreHappy Birthday, Partner. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. Here are a few images of my time out at the ranch.
Read moreWith November quickly approaching, and the amount of work piling up, Ranch work has seemed to reach an all-time high. Ted and Sheryl DeVault have opened their studio up to several big-name ceramic artists across the country to come and fire the Reitzagama around Thanksgiving. Some are traveling more than 2,500 miles to be apart of this great event.
The crew that was selected to fire the work were selected from the final firing of the Reitzagama with Don. Some of the artists who are participating are, Chris Gustin, Matt Long, Mat Rude, Heidi Kreitchet, Preston and Sara Tolbert and several more
Read moreWOW, such an incredible week. As I return to Arizona from NCECA, Facebook reminded me that it has been 2 years since my mentor Don Reitz has passed. While I was at the conference I was able to reconnect with so many great friends and meet just as many new ones! I feel so fortunate to have worked with Don at the ranch and am astonished with the doors he continues to open for me. Today I'm left thinking about something Don once told me, "It doesn't get any easier, it just gets different". I can honestly say that it's sure a hell of a lot different buddy, but I wouldn't change a thing. Thank you Don, love you and miss you.
Read moreI'm working on updating my portfolio and wanted to share some images of my new work and the work that is in progress. Check out the newest works below or check my ceramic portfolio.
Read moreIt has been a little while since my last update this is because we are in the middle of a serious firing schedule. Don has a large retrospective show that will be coming up on May 4th 2012 at Belger Arts Center. So Don has been cranking out work left and right. With all the work that is being produced the work has to be fired. Since his show with Bentley Gallery that recently came down in January, we have been firing a wood kiln about once every week! We've also thrown in a few Salt kiln firings in there too. There has been a few times where we are firing a wood kiln and a salt kiln at the same time! Don's salt kiln is one of the loudest kilns I have really ever been around. (It was really nice when it had been going on for a few days and we get to turn it off, the silence was much appreciated) I did get a few shots of firing during my Midnight shift on March 3rd 2012. Below are a few photos from a night firing in March.
Read moreJust before we decided which day we were going to load the kiln it started to rain. There wasn't much lightning and I didn't have a great camera but though I would put a few photos of the monsoons.
Read moreWe fired a kiln last week, and had fantastic results. We got cone 11 down hard through out the kiln and cone 12 bending in front. Don's work had some amazing colors. Larry and I both had some newer forms in the kiln. I'm extremely happy on how my work turned out. I took some pictures of a few pieces, the rest will come later this week. UPDATE: Check out my ceramics portfolio to see images of my new work from the firing!
Read more