Episode 76: Keith Kreeger - Objects Matter

"It’s always scary to stop doing something. But if you don’t stop doing something, you can't do something new. Every time I’ve stopped doing something other opportunities came, or I had time to try something new."

Keith Kreeger loves clay. For the past 25 years he has dedicated himself to forming and shaping various types and colors of that material, into beautiful bowls, vases, plates, and many other objects that are intended to be used and enjoyed. After college he set up his first potters studio in Cape Cod, where he grew and honed his artistic and business skills. Then a move to Austin shifted the aesthetic of his work to more simple forms with subtle lines. The look and profile of his business has also evolved over the years as he has strived to stay in tune with his core values and maintain a balance between work, family, what feels right, and what makes sense. His customers are people who care about where the things in their life come from and how they are made. Objects matter. Keith and I talk a lot about his business but also delve into his history in ceramics and his philosophies about his art, his customers, and how he figured out where he is headed.

Photo by Chad Wadsworth

Text courtesy of Keith's website.

Meet Keith

Besides being the proud owner of 32” paella pan, Keith is an artist, designer and maker. Hailing from the East Coast, Keith got to Austin as quickly as possibly with this wife and three children. Previously he had a studio and contemporary craft gallery on Cape Cod for 12 years.

Keith’s aesthetic comes from the singular idea that “objects matter,” and his work reflects that simple phrase, exemplifying clean, polished and modern design.

A past-president of the board of Big Medium, the arts nonprofit that produces the East Austin Studio Tour, West Austin Studio Tour and the Texas Biennial, Keith currently sits on the board of the Austin Food and Wine Alliance, the advisory board of Austin Bat Cave and is an active supporter and advocate for the Andy Roddick Foundation.

When he’s not behind the wheel, he can be found making strong espresso, epic playlists, hosting as many rad events in town as possible and driving his kids to their soccer games.

Keith's Austin showroom

Normal hours - Wednesday-Friday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

916 Springdale Rd Bldg 3-104, Austin, TX 78702

EAST AUSTIN STUDIO TOUR

November 16–17 & 23–24, 2019

12pm-6pm

Some of the subjects we discuss:

Canopy

Labels

Making the shift

Instagram

Standing out

What drives him

Being a potter

Traditional path

True fans/new people

Working with chefs

Selling wholesale

Something new

Art of the pot

Convention life

Supportive partners

Anniversary

Sharing the work

Social media

Fun opportunities

Connections

Hand of the maker

1000 years old

In the moment

Capacity

Something lasting

What we are making

Defining for yourself

Largest order

Re-evaluating

College in NY

In love with ceramics

Success/failure

Toshiko Takaezu

Working with a legend

Do it now

Cape Cod Studio

Collectors/tradition

Reduction firing

Change of aesthetic

What is porcelain

Move to Austin

Getting established

Cobra stuidos/EAST

Functional objects

Dinnerware

Made to order

Using molds

Expectations

Size of studio

Making decisions

Starting/finishing

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Intro music generously provided by Stan Killian

Support this podcast. Links:Keith Kreeger Handcrafted Porcelain Ceramics – Keith Kreeger StudiosKeith Kreeger (@keithkreeger) • InstagramThe Toshiko Takaezu Studio2019 LA Design Festival - EDGE Award: Eric Trine of Amigo Modern - YouTube