07 Jun A collaboration with nature…Butch Holden, pottery & digital paintings

Where does an artist find inspiration? For Butch Holden it comes from his continual fascination with the similarities of gardening and ceramics. Holden’s pottery and digital paintings will be featured at Ripple River Gallery near Bay Lake, June 12 through July 14. The gallery will host a reception for the artist on Friday evening, June 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend, enjoy refreshments and view Holden’s work.

“My art is about looking in different directions and reacting by making a pot, a painting or a photograph,” Holden said. “When I garden, I am manipulating all sorts of variables — soil, location, timing, temperature, water — all in the hopes of achieving a thriving plant. Pottery making is incredibly similar. I manipulate all sorts of variables — minerals, temperature, timing, water, location in the kiln — all in the hopes of achieving a desirable ceramic outcome.”

While the goal of both gardening and art making is a colorful and meaningful outcome, natural surprises and setbacks can occur. Holden approaches his work with optimism.

Clay vessel by Butch Holden

Butch Holden has a Bachelor of Arts degree in art from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in ceramics from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. He taught drawing and ceramics at Mount Senario College and currently is a Professor Emeritas at Bemidji State University, where he has taught since 1983. Holden has exhibited in local, regional and national competitions, and also has had many solo exhibitions. In addition to having juried many shows, he has served on numerous art grant panels.

He lives, works and gardens at his home in Bemidji, MN.