DON RIDLEY
Background
Don was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona. He began his ceramic studies at Marcos de Niza high school and continued his pursuit of clay at Arizona State University. After spending time as a professional musician and a brief stint in corporate management, he returned to his pottery roots and spent several years teaching and working with Tom and Elaine Coleman at their studio in Henderson Nevada.
Don has won numerous awards for his work and continues to sell his pottery at shows and gallery’s throughout the southwest. He is currently the Department Head of the Ceramics Program at the Phoenix Center for the Arts.
His work over the past 25 years has evolved into a concentrated study of the relationship between the palette of glazes used and the various forms he constructs. This evolution has brought about a more focused interest in the alterations and textures introduced during the early stages of the piece, and the obvious and/or subtle interaction with the multitude of layered glazes applied.
Don has added to this evolution in his work by embracing the amazing effects of wood firing on his forms and glazes with wondrous results. Coming in a bit later in life to this genre of the ceramics world Don has jumped head first into firing anagama kilns throughout the country and has enjoyed the great friendships that this travel and work has bestowed upon him.
Learning is a lifetime pursuit.
My Approach
I first began working in clay over 40 years ago. Since that time I have been involved in several enterprises outside the ceramics arena that have influenced my thoughts on clay and ultimately led me to a career in the ceramic arts. These life experiences have also defined how I approach and carry out my work.
Pottery has been around for thousands of years and although there have been huge advances made in the equipment available to potters, the bottom-line is that it is still just earth, water and fire. In working with these most basic of elements, I endeavor to create a piece of beauty and quality that will last a lifetime.
I am always striving to span the gap between functional and decorative work, further blurring the age-old argument of whether clay is craft or art.
Personal
Don has been married for 27 years to his amazing wife, Lisa. They have a daughter, Madison who is a software engineer living in New Jersey, and their son Jackson who is attending the University of Arizona.