Rentenaar, Jan
About the artist
Fourth generation Oregonian I take a lot inspiration from the tall trees and long legends of the Northwest. Clay has been always been a part of my life. My mother, Gail Goodrich was a sculptor of clay. I received a B.A. from “The Evergreen State College” My work can be seen nationally in Texas, Washington, New York. In 2010 I was invited to Sapporo Japan, “The Sapporo Museum of Modern Art” In 2010 and 2015 I was a finalist in the “National Bonsai Pot Competition” in Washington D.C.”
National Arboretum. Featured artist at “The Artisan Cup” Bonsai exhibit at “The Portland Art Museum” 2015
Local clays, like “Deschutes white” and “River dog” made by local legend George Wright give me a wonderful variety of colors and strengths to work with. The clay can reflect the texture of cloth or the coarseness of stone. I have several kilns in my home studio, electric and propane.
Hiroshi Ogawa, Oregon potter, built a wood-fired kiln in Elkton Oregon over 25 years ago. I have had the good fortune to be invited to fire this large kiln. Many of my bonsai pots have been transformed by these Anagama and Noborigama kilns. The colors you see on the pots is the result of wood ash and soda built up over a seven day firing.
The name I gave my business “Legendary Art” refers to the wealth of inspiration I get from legends of the Northwest Native Americans, the Japanese and many other cultures. These legends have timeless themes of love, greed, trickery and humor. I like that my sculptures have a tale to tell.
Sample of Artwork
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