Page 90 - 9781909825130_pdf.indd
P. 90

Heidi Kreitchet
          Born 1973
          Lives and works in Pomona CA, USA
          www.hkwoodfi re.com
          Heidi  Kreitchet  is  interested  in  creating  work  that  expresses
          her exploration of form and line. These sculptures become her
          visual vocabulary for communicating an on-going experience
          with “pushing clay”. Kreitchet’s pieces are sculptural not
          functional; they are expressive, not practical.

          By hand-building these pieces Kreitchet creates a constant
          change  in pattern,  line, and form.  She is interested  in
          constructing pieces with angles and planes that have multiple
          textures and hardnesses, whilst enhancing the beauty of the
          clay’s natural fi nish.

          This interaction  between  the  malleable, versatile clay is
          informed  by Kreitchet’s  immediate reaction  to  the  physical
          quality of the material. Her emotional, intuitive and physical
          reaction  to  handling and  manipulating the  clay provides
          the  pieces with passion, power,  animation, and elasticity.
          Kreitchet  believes  in  expressing  movement  and  gesture  by
          using clay to give the work integrity.
          HEIDI  KREITCHET  was  accepted  to  Northern  Arizona  University’s  art
          program in the Summer of 1999. Under the direction of ceramic wizard,
          Don Bendel, and new arrival, Jason Hess, Kreitchet explored wood fi ring
          for the next fi ve years. She was greatly infl uenced by Hess’s innovative
          approach to woodfi ring. She also credits the infl uence of Paula Rice,
          Ellen  Tibbets,  and  Ted  Adler  who  encouraged  her  to  experiment
          in all areas of  ceramics. After  graduation,  Kreitchet  was fortunate
          to assist  renowned  ceramic artist Don Reitz. During the two year
          assistantship in Clarkdale, Arizona, working and living on “the ranch”
          was a challenging experience for Kreitchet--physically, mentally, and
          spiritually.  By watching and absorbing Reitz’s skillful  techniques with
          hand building, Kreitchet was inspired to push her own ideas with clay.
          In 2006, Kreitchet joined the Masters of Fine Arts program at Utah State
          University under the guidance of John Neely and Dan Murphy. At USU,
          Kreitchet continued to pursue woodfi re and her ceramic muse. She
          received her Masters of Fine Arts in May of 2009. Currently, Kreitchet
          is living  and  working  in  Pomona,  CA.  She  is the  Studio  Director  at
          The Ceramics Studio located at the American Museum of Ceramic
          Arts (AMOCA).









                                                                               Right: Do You Like My Hat?, 2012 Ceramic.
                                                                               h: 15cm w: 8cm d: 6cm, Artist’s Collection.
                                                                               Photograph Credit: Kelly McLendon









             90                                                                                                                                                                                                               91
   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95