On To The Next Chapter

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.

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Russell Beach: Ever The Adventurer

I was asked by my family to create an urn for my grandfather who passed away on April 6, 2020. I always told my grandparents that I would make these objects for them without much additional thought. After my grandfather’s passing, and a gentle reminder from my grandmother, I started to think about what this object would look like. I started to think about the importance of this object and what my grandfather meant to me. Someone who would always listen, who always cared more about what was going on in my life, who always had advice for the difficult questions and times. I never realized how much importance the jar form could have. It’s an honor to create such an object and it’s an honor to have had such a wonderful man as my grandfather. Thank you Grandpa Russ.

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Long Overdue Update

It’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.

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Origins

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.

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Origins - 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

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Army of One: Army of None

A couple of weeks ago I was in the local Made In Clarkdale show. The Made In Clarkdale Art Show(MIC) 2012 runs for 10 days beginning the first weekend of December featuring the original art of over 50+ artists with a variety of mediums including sculpture, visual art, photography, and wearable art in all price ranges. I met several wonderful people, and had a really great opportunity to see old friends and meet new ones as well! We had a wonderful turnout this year, and achieved our goal in sales to put on the show for next year. I focused mainly on getting two new pieces I have been working on titled "Army of One: Army of None" which were a hit. I received several wonderful comments and had some very engaging conversations.

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Hexaptych

I put together a quick YouTube video for Don's Birthday (November 7th). I showed it to Don and he asked me put it online and share it with others. I'm putting the photos that go along with the video of the process for the hexaptych. The piece came out of the woodkiln this week and I will upload photos of the finished piece this week. Check back to see the finished photos.

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Wedding Gifts

This weekend I'm getting married to my fiance Kami Ricklefs, in Spirit Lake, Iowa. We get hitched on Saturday September 29th and I couldn't be more excited. Since I have 3 groomsmen I had to come up with a gift idea to give them for being apart of our wedding. I decided to make them a whiskey/shooter set. Originally it started as a sake set which had the 4 cups and the tokkuri (a pouring vessel), however since I've never heard of any of the guys talk about drinking sake, I decided the whiskey set would be more appropriate. Below I've attached some photos of the sets for each guy.

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Black work

I've decided to make some shifts in my clay bodies over the last few months. I'm really starting to enjoy working with a black "palette" vs the standard white porcelain that I'm so used to using. We've been really busy firing kilns out at the ranch and I was able to fire another salt kiln with Don last weekend, and I'm really happy with the results. Below are a few pieces from the past few firings.

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Robert 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.

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Pitch Article

It's been a while since I've updated the site, however that does not mean things are still not happening. I been to Canada and back, fired kilns, had visits from great friends and family. While all this is going on, Don's show is still in full swing attracting a great audience in Kansas City, MO. If you haven't seen the show maybe this article will get you in there. The article is written by Tracy Abeln who writes for The Pitch. The Pitch is a local alternative paper in Kansas City and has the second highest circulation in the city. Check it out!

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Tomagama - UPDATED Unloading

I helped a friend out last week fire an anagama kiln on his property in Chino Valley. Tom Alward, Jonathan Cross and a few others got together to fire for 5 days with a reduction cool at the end of the firing. We were firing during a county wide fire ban in Arizona, but we called the Fire Marshall first. They came out and took a look at the kiln and gave us the green light to start the kiln. I took several photos of the loading and the firing. I'll post pictures of the unloading next week! Be sure to check back soon.

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Studio 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:

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