Collection: Artist: Larry Ricci

LARRY RICCI ARTIST BIO AND STATEMENT

One of the greatest gifts I ever received was when my dad put tools in my hands when I was a kid. He was a grocer but so artistic, creative and a problem solver. I always played with wood and along the way I spent 40+ years in education as a high school social studies teacher, principal and later as an adjunct professor. I was able to get more serious as a woodworker after I retired.

In the mid 1970’s I became friendly with Bucks County artist Charles Coiner and his wife. They owned a beautiful farm and were friends with George Nakashima who did an addition to the farmhouse and built the furniture. The first time I saw all of that I was amazed. I had no understanding that furniture could be so sculptural. That was my influence and inspiration. I visited the Nakashima studio often in the years after that, living only minutes away.
I’m pretty much self-taught working mostly with local, highly figured hardwoods and burls. Each piece is unique and maintaining the organic beauty of the wood is essential. Shopping for wood is a critical step and a joy. Sometimes I know immediately what I want to make from the piece; other times it takes a while for the wood to tell me what it wants to be. The wood, with its shape, figure, imperfections and voids, is what draws my attention and curiosity. Sometimes the imperfections are what creates the greatest interest in studying the piece. I always attempt to balance form and function. Sometimes one of those wins out.

Working in the shop with my dog in her basket by the heater is my retreat.