Last week I was asked to do a two day workshop for The ceramics department at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. I had a great time sharing my hand building techniques with everyone. A very special thank you to Mat Rude and the Kreielsheimer Visiting Artist foundation. I’ve put a few photos from the workshop below. I look forward to my next shop!
Read moreOrigins
Origin is the point or place where something begins, arises, or is derived. In preparation for my show at the Pearson Lakes Art Center, I spent time reflecting on my own origin, roots, and life experiences. My ceramic career began 15 years ago at the Pearson Lakes Art Center where my work is currently on display. Taking that into account, this sense of nostalgia or “coming home” is the focal point of my recent creative efforts. The objects I crafted have a pronounced texture covered by bright colors that are worn down to reveal the raw earthenware clay below. This fabrication process creates a butter-soft patina and timeworn appearance in each piece. My hope is that viewers will handle the work and can connect with their own pasts…their origins.
Read moreMade In Clarkdale 2014
It’s that time of year again, just after Thanksgiving and right before Christmas. Made In Clarkdale 2014 is upon us. I’m so excited to be participating in this fantastic show that includes so many artists from our community! This year there are over 50 artists showing at the Clark Memorial Clubhouse in Clarkdale, AZ. The show will run from December 5th – December 13th with the Opening Gala Event on Friday December 5th 2014 6pm-9pm.
Read moreOrigins Opening Night
Visual Arts Director of the Pearson Lakes Art Center, Morgan Aalgaard, emailed me photographs from the opening night of my Origins Show. It was such a great night to see all the friendly faces. Morgan took some really great shots and I thought I would share them with everyone.
Read moreOrigins Opening Reception
Thank you to everyone who came to the opening reception for my show, "Origins". It was wonderful to see so many friends and reconnect with familiar faces! Origins is open through December 31, 2014 at the Pearson Lakes Art Center.
Read moreOrigins - By Bennett Roti
It has been a while since I've updated my site, a lot has changed in my life and there is a lot to look forward to! At the end of this month I will be having a solo show at the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji, IA. The show will run from October 30th 2014 - December 31st 2014. There is an opening night reception on October 30th 2014 from 5-7pm. It is open to the public and I will be present for the opening. Looking forward to seeing so many friendly faces. If you're in the area on the 30th please stop by and enjoy some art. Click here for more information
Read moreBentley Gallery: Don Reitz
Don Reitz is recognized as one of the most important and influential ceramic artists of the last century. He has cultivated a decades-long exploration of wood and salt firing of his pieces to preserve the unique energy and spontaneity of his mark-making.
Read moreReitzagama – Update Unloading!
After almost 3 years of being at the Reitz Ranch I have finally fired every kiln Don has! The Reitzagama was the last piece to my kiln firing puzzle and it went great! The X-Mural was about 50% of the 375 cubic foot anagama kiln.
Read moreRebuilding the Train Kiln
This week Mat and Aubrey Rude came out from Iowa to help us work on rebuilding the Train Kiln stack. We also spent some time this weekend working on getting a website together, check out Mat's Website. The Made In Clarkdale show comes down this weekend and I'll be sure to add photos ASAP.
Read moreRobert Roti
My grandfather passed away Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, at Northshire Residence in Spencer. In honor of his service and his legacy I crated a dog tag helmet using his original dog tags from WWII. Grandpa Roti was an amazing man and the piece is very personal to me. It's made of a low fire earthenware clay and low fire underglazes. I plan on making more work with dog tags in the future.
Read moreNew Work
I'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 moreStudio Triptych
I got to work in the studio today with Don. Don worked on painting a new triptych that is 15"x 30" x 1". I was also able to help work on some new jars which completed photos will be posted as soon as they are finished. While Don was painting I stood by and took some great shots of him from start to finish. Don starts by applying a "Base Coat" to give it a background color and then proceeds to apply the main imagery. These panels will be woodfired for about three days and will be fired to cone 13 (~2500 degrees Fahrenheit ).Check out the photos below:
Read moreAntiwar Artists Gallery
I was just asked to be included in this Online Gallery. I've got some work up on there with far more to come.
Antiwar Artists Galleries
Antiwar Artists is a collection of international artists who depict the effects of war and other injustices on people and other living things. These galleries contain artwork that may offend some people, because war itself is offensive to the artists included here. Antiwar Artists.com is a collaborative effort to communicate for peace through art.The galleries also include environmental and other socially conscious artwork and photos.New artists are always welcome to join us. We are having a new online Exhibit in August. Check back soon for more information on the exhibit!
Read moreDon Reitz Retrospective
This weekend Don, Kathleen, Larry and I traveled to Kansas City, MO for Don's opening of his retrospective show at the Belger Arts Center! It was an absolutely amazing show, so much wonderful work in one room. The opening was a wild success with hundreds of people stopping throughout the evening to see the show and see Don. Don's family Brent (son), Donna (daughter) and Nancy (sister) were all there and our Florida family was able to fly out to see the show and be with us. My parents were able to make it in the day after the show which was really nice to see the both of them.
Read moreDon Reitz at the Belger Arts Center
OPENING MAY 4!
May 4, 2012 - September 8, 2012
A tribute to the legendary Don Reitz spanning 51 years of his career. Join us from 6-9 pm on First Friday and see 100 artworks by Reitz on the ground floor and the third floor of the Belger building at 2100 Walnut Street in Kansas City's Crossroads Arts District. DON REITZ will run through September 8, 2012.
Read moreAmazing Night Firing
It 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 moreMat Rude Visit
This November Don Reitz has invited 4 major ceramic artists to come out and be apart of an Anagama firing. To prepare for the kiln Don invited his past assistant Mat Rude to come out and help make some larger pieces for the upcoming firing with us. It was really great to see my old friend (not too often you get to see other people out at the ranch), and work in the studio to create some really amazing work.It was truly amazing to see each piece start from a basic cylinder or cone shape and become absolutely fascinating sculptures. There were several times over the last 5 days that I couldn't help but just pinch myself to make sure that I wasn't dreaming. It was so cool to see the studio so full of energy and creativity. As the pieces were being assembled Don was bouncing from piece to piece working a little bit on each one allowing the other to dry. That was pretty fascinating to see how Don works with the larger scale work. Below are photos from the week and I will upload the final pieces as they are finished. I'm really looking forward to the Anagama firing!
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