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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

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