About The Artist
Artist Statement
A Latin inscription on a ring I wear reads: Aliis Bona Create or, “Create Good for Others”. These words distill a world view I’ve carried throughout my personal and work life – with my family, and as an artist, engineer, and entrepreneur. The word ‘Create’ prompts my actions to invent, make unique, and to inspire. ‘Good’ signals a condition of usefulness in function, of beauty in form, and even laughter when an alternate meaning is recognized. The ‘Others’ is a reminder to focus outwardly, to solicit “Yes, and …” collaborations, actively listen, and invite improvisation.
Through my work I seek to embrace the observer in an emotive state – even if momentarily. For example, with awe as one apparently peers down at oceans from above the clouds, or feels the force and sounds of breaking waves, or seemingly feels the presence of a thousand generations by looking at and touching a smooth, cool clay form. If my piece can conjure the silent dusky beauty of the sky as the moon rises on a summer eve – then I’ve done well.
The music of mathematics in nature, as seen in the spirals of a sunflower or the golden ratio, is often designed into my hand built ceramics. Color, light, and texture all play important roles throughout my work and the notion of embedding a surprise to delight the observer is never far from my mind. Defining and sharing novel processes or techniques for this malleable medium of clay is, simply, fun! There is so much to explore with purpose while simultaneously expecting serendipity – I look forward to others joining me for a while on this journey in ceramic arts.
About Rich Lopez
Rich Lopez is a ceramic artist living in Wilmington Delaware’s Riverfront area. During his formal practice and relationship with clay, his studio has grown in capability to encompass most aspects of the art. Primarily self-taught, Rich is energetically engaged in the art and looks forward to expanding and exhibiting his work in new venues. A member of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), he actively participates in the New Castle County Art Studio in Elsmere, DE. Aside from ceramics, he enjoys traveling with his wife, family, and friends, as well as participating in triathlons. Prior to pursuing ceramics full time, Rich held corporate responsibilities for building and driving innovation best practices across a multi-billion-dollar science and technology project portfolio. He was also a founder and a past board member of Fallen American Veterans Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to assisting in the expedited, safe, successful, and respectful recovery and repatriation of US MIA and American Armed Forces Service Personnel who did not return from overseas. He studied mechanical engineering at the University of Rochester, is a professional engineer (ret.), and remains connected to the Elson Engineering Corporation which he founded in the early 90s.
