Studio Tour

Stop by the 4th Annual

Rio Rancho Art Association Studio Tour

April 26th and April 27th

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Rita's Pottery Garden #16 on the map

Hosting:

Yvonne Korotky Oils

&

Vivian Krasenbaum Mixed Media

StageCoach Purses "a little art vase shaped like a purse"

Stop By the Los Ranchos Farmers Market

This Saturday. April 12th 2008

to see Rita's latest pottery vases.

StageCoach: A fully inspirational piece created with New Mexico's

beautiful sand, sky, and mountains in mind.

Stage (inspired by Rita's teleivision experience HTGV spot)
Coach (inspired by my daughters favorite purse)

Contact: Rita 505-239-7481
(please no solications)

Pocket Vase

Just Add: Water and flowers and a tiny bit of love.........

Contact Information:
Rita Ryan
1-800-999-5845 (@ my day job) weekdays 6am mst to noon
505-239-7481 verizon wireless cell users cell/ to cell/ call is free
(no solititations thank you)

Find Rita's Pottery Saturday Mornings........

at:
The Village of Los Ranchos
Growers & Crafters Market

Coffee Table Bowls

Who says Art has to match the sofa!

Beautiful (food safe) Coffee table bowls can be used for decoration and hung on the wall. Placed on a plate stand and tucked into the corner of a fireplace mantel or tossed on your coffee table with the daily news!

Fanciful Functional pottery is the goal here..oven safe..food safe....

Use: Bake a wonderful loaf of bread, serve nachos with melted cheese, or just serve some lovely home baked cookies in this colorful creation your wish is its command!

$100.00 includes tax and shipping to most of the U.S.

Contact: Rita Ryan 505-239-7481

MC/Visa accepted

"Funky Soap Dish"

Rita S. Ryan
Clay Art is Clever!

If you missed the show,
you can read all about it on
HGTV "That's Clever"

web site.

Epergne

by: Rita S. Ryan

Epergne in Clay

Epergne: (A-Pern)
An Epergne is described as a centerpiece which may be used to serve food (nuts and candies)as well as display flowers. Most often a piece like this would be used for decoration only.Epergnes were originally made on both sides of the Atlantic, with perhaps the fanciest coming from France. The English made epergnes as early as the 1860's in Sheffield plate. Brass versions made their appearance in the Orient in the last century. The carnival glass makers of this century contributed some of the most colorful versions including the fountain epergne.

Rita S. Ryan Clay Art Presents:

"Epergne in Clay" A unique beautiful representation piece.

Hearts on Fire!

Special Hearts on Fire!

Fancy Heart Stoneware
Currently on display at Yucca Art Gallery

Soap Dishes

Find Rita's High Fire Stoneware Funky Soap dishes at Yucca Art Gallery $20 each

Artist: Rita S. Ryan

Rita S. Ryan

High Fire Stoneware Platter

High Fire Stoneware Platter

This Beautiful Cobalt Blue Platter
is oven and dishwasher safe.

Fishy Platter

Wall Art

Oven Safe

Keep your appetisers nice and warm in the oven until ready to serve.

Wall Art

Ikebana Wall plaque:

approx size 12 x 8 inches

On display at Yucca Art Gallery

Online Degrees

"Nagiere Vase" for Ikebana

Clay art in simple form......

Nagiere Vase

"Tossed in Flowers" 

Appetizer Plate 

Fancy Spoon Rest

 

Soap dish

 

Ikebana Bud Vase

Deviled Egg Tray

 

Contemporary Ikebana Container

Artist Rita Ryan's One-Woman Business Won't Compromise on Quality

-->By Amanda Stevens Of the Journal

The dancing woman in the home studio that has Billy Idol's "White Wedding" blasting from the stereo is Rita Ryan, doing what she loves: working. "It makes you feel like a kid. I get to play," Ryan, a clay artist said. "I get to make money, and I get to play." Ryan owns, operates and creates the merchandise for her out-of-home business, Rita's Pottery Garden, based in Rio Rancho. Wanting to keep her business small, Ryan has no intention of expanding beyond her capabilities. "I don't intend on employing anyone else. I like the solitude. I get along with myself good ... I don't want someone ruining my chi here. It's a very happy, relaxing place," she said. Creating everything from soap holders to large platters, Ryan prides herself on creating only unique, functional pottery. "I have an idea of what I want to make, and that's pretty little functional pots. If you want a toothbrush holder, go to Wal-Mart." Ryan said she has refused several requests for items such as toothbrush holders and butter keepers, but tries to keep an open mind for ideas. "I'm not opposed to ideas ... I made (butter keepers) for a while, but I hate making them because I haven't found a way to make them unique. If I'm going to make it, I want them to be really special," she said. These "pretty little functional pots" can be found at the Los Ranchos Growers' Market on Saturdays, Yucca Art Gallery in Old Town or http://www.ritaspots.blogspot.com/ Ryan started her pottery business in 1991 after she witnessed two women arguing over a piece of her work at the Los Ranchos Growers' Market. "Ladies at the farmers market started fighting over a pot and I thought, 'I have something really good here.' " From that point on, Ryan said she can barely keep up with the ideas she has and the requests she gets for more of her creations. "I just can't make enough stuff," she said. "People are looking for more and more and I can only do so much ... There just isn't enough time to make everything I want to make." Even though Ryan's creations sometimes sell faster than she can make them, she still has standards for her work. "I expect a little bit of perfection," she said. "If I look at a piece and there's something wrong with it, I'd rather not make it at all if it doesn't fit my idea of what I wanted to look at. "The person looking at that piece on their coffee table will appreciate your thinking about perfection when you were making it."



A few things to know...
Due to e-mail spammers using my pottery blog to try further their pathetic carreers I have pulled my e-mail address from this blog. However, If you would like to speak to me in person about any of my pottery you may call me, and Yes, talk to a real person.
Please keep in mind I do not ship pottery unless a minimum of $100 is met, as I am just not set up for shipping. Please, keep in mind also that 98% of what you see on this blog has already been sold, It seems as though my pretty little pots are quite popular here in NM and about the time I get around to making a few they sell awfully quick, I am not a production potter so If you see something you would like me to attempt to duplicate just remember it will created with "artistic discretion"

please call M-F 6am - Noon toll free at 1-800-999-5845
or better yet visit "The Land of Enchantment" and my studio in Rio Rancho, NM
And find my beautiful clay art at "Yucca Art Gallery"
#1 Patio Market in Old Town, Albuquerque, NM

"Party Azul" Hand Built Beautiful Coffee Table Bowl Sold $95

"Desert Harmony" $70

Platter w/handles (SOLD)

Fancy Platter - SOLD $90

Nagiere Vase "Tossed in Flowers" $98

"As Seen on HGTV" "That's Clever" .... Funky Soap Dishes $20 ea.

Rita S. Ryan Member RRAA

Crazy Artists *Post from -- Jan 20th 2006*

After working all day yesterday at the commodities office, My dream of being an actress was about to come true (Now, there’s something you didn’t know about me) HGTV film crew came to my studio at my house to film me making pottery for their “That’s Clever” show.

It was grueling……. smiling every two minutes for the 6 hours of filming, jumping in and out of the camera for action shots, by the end of the day (10:00 at night) I was reduced to a babbling idiot.

I did manage to embrace all the folly of the show, dancing for the camera, threatening jesters with my rolling pin. Swinging in the hammocks, the outdoor shots were fun; My dog was the real star of the show.

I did get the two pieces made a funky soap dish and a “Nagiere” vase, they both looked good.

Having four people and two cameras in your face at close range for that long of time was much more nerve racking than I could have ever anticipated. I consider myself an outgoing person, confident about my art but I just could not keep up the pace of stop and go filming. Switching between working and talking, my brain just could not adjust I either wanted to talk or work and I felt kind of like a ping-pong ball bouncing around my studio.

I laughed hysterically at the blundering blubbery words that were coming out of my mouth, You should have heard me try to say “Bone Dry” after 5 or six try’s we gave it up and I said “Green Ware” the term for clay that has not been fired yet. And if by some miracle I got the shot perfect, then just my luck the cameraman messed up on his end and we had to start over, too many times to count.

I tried my best to stay positive and perky to the end. And not to worry about the CRAZY LADY THEY JUST FILMED After about 4 hours I was ready to fall over, and I had not even started on the main project, my vase! I was amazed at how hard the crew and the producer had to work to keep on task, and I have a new respect for this type of work, it is so much more than one can imagine. I no longer wish to be an actress, my commodities job fits me perfectly, I Praise God for his wisdom…and I pray daily for GREAT Editors.

I am so looking forward to getting back to my solitude in my nice quite studio.

A view into some God thoughts.......

Click here for a view into my hidden garden of God thoughts.......

White with red gold accent.... Ikebana $45
Ikebana prices vary $40 to $110

Some people believe art comes from your inner desires,

I believe art comes like life,

through God in you.

Nagiere: "Tossed in Flowers"
The Art of Japanese Flower Arranging in contemporary form
by Rita S. Ryan

Wheel Thrown Egg Trays

High Fire Stoneware beautiful plate for
deviled eggs will be the hit of the party!
Egg Trays vary in price and size platter size like this one average $55

Large white "Nagiere"

Plate inspired by NC potter "Cat Jarosz"

Woven bowls take about 3 hours to roll out the clay and cut the strips and piece together. The result is a very large decorative piece perfect for a coffee table, or centerpiece.
Prices average $110 & up

Epergne in Clay 

Epergne: (A-Pern)
An Epergne is described as a centerpiece which may be used to serve food (nuts and candies) as well as display flowers. Most often a piece like this would be used for decoration only. Epergnes were originally made on both sides of the Atlantic, with perhaps the fanciest coming from France. The English made epergnes as early as the 1860's in Sheffield plate. Brass versions made their appearance in the Orient in the last century. The carnival glass makers of this century contributed some of the most colorful versions including the fountain epergne. Rita S. Ryan Presents: "Epergne in Clay" a unique beautiful representation piece.

Ikebana vase 3 stem

Rita's Pottery Garden

Currently you may find Rita’s pottery at these locations:

Yucca Gallery in Old town, Albuquerque, NM
#1 Patio Market 505-247-8931

The Village of Los Ranchos Growers Market on Rio Grande Blvd.
Most Sat. mornings Starting in May 7am to 11am.

NMPCA - Member

Large woven bowl. Heat in oven, use for serving hot bread or rolls. Use as a beautiful fruit bowl or coffee table bowl. $108 SOLD

The Way of The Flower

Contemporary Ikebana Vase

NEW NEWS!!!!

Rita's Ikebana vases now available:
Tiger Lilly Flowers on Central across from the University of NM now carrying a nice selection of my bud vases with one stem to hold your flowers. Tayna has a very sweet small flower shop, I recommend you stop by whenever you are in the area.

Look for me at the Los Ranchos Growers market is Saturdays May through Oct.
7 am to 11 am October 8am to 11 am hours
By the Fire Station & tennis courts on Rio Grande Blvd.
So set your alarm, grab a cup of java and come on out!

“Clay Opening”

Rita S. Ryan

The opening of the kiln is the most remarkable experience I have with clay. The clay goes into the kiln as an ugly duckling and comes out as a beautiful swan. Seeing all the glittery, pretty colors is like having a birthday each and every day, each pot wrapped in fancy gift paper and a bow. Not ever really knowing what the results will be adds to the excitement of trying new colors and ideas, every lift of the kiln lid is an adventure. Certainly, it taps my inner child.
Another aspect that occurs in the throwing stage of clay is called “opening” at this moment of opening a wheel thrown piece, instinctively the potter knows if a pot will be worthy to end up being glazed or tossed in the recycle bin!

I haven’t really figured out what I want out of clay nor, might I add, what the clay wants out of me. I did manage to build a studio in my home by adding on a room. There doesn't ever seem to be enough time in the day to do all I would like in clay. I can't tell you how much time I take cleaning before creating, it’s a “clean freak thing” It's like making the bed before you go to sleep. The results may be intangible, but there is no better feeling than working in a clean space. I absolutely love having my own space to create.

My mornings are spent analyzing futures markets. I believe my analytical skills are the best asset I have with my clay projects, I can really look through a piece with an objective eye.

There are many great potters here in NM and one thing they all have in common is sharing. Potters are by far the most generous group of people (aside from Lutherans and their food) that I've ever run across and I am happy to be considered a potter!

Rita S. Ryan
Clay Artist

Large Mottle Blue "Nagiere" (tall container for flowers) Nageire literally means "tossed-in flowers," which are arranged in a narrow-mouthed, tall container without using kenzan, or needlepoint holder(s). Frogs are not used to hold the flowers, Instead, Rita uses 5 slim stems on a long narrow base to to hold either individual or multiple flowers and plants.
$99 (SOLD)

New small two stem Ikebana
A perfect representation of the union of man and wife, two become one together.

Stained glass window is the look on this medium size vase glazed in blue and rg. Again the picture does not present all the beauty of this vase. (SOLD) $78

Ikebana (5 stem) white & gun metal green

Deviled Egg Tray
other colors -blue, shino & teal

Epergne in Clay

Batter bowls in the works. 

Single Stem Bud Vase mottle blue

Mottle blue ikebana pointy edges

Gun Metal Green single stem bud vases

Ikebana's small to medium size Blue and gun-metal green average price $45

White and Gun Metal green Ikebana Medium size

White and white with shino ikebanas small/medium size average price $45

Heart dishes (small & sweet) wonderful for candy, or jewlery, food safe you can even use them in the microwave $18 includes shipping. 

Delicate large ikebana mottle-blue and red-gold

Large Ikebana, two oriental curves blue & red-gold $68 (SOLD)

Little Angels made by two sweet teen-age angels. 

Large Ikebana Mottle blue and Red-gold