Richard Tanaka started his career in ceramics in Toronto in 1972.  He studied pottery at Humber College and worked as a clay technician at Rodaco Clay under master potter Ron Roy. Since 1978 Richard has worked from his hand built studio in Salmon Arm, British Columbia.  He now splits his schedule between Vancouver and Salmon Arm.

Richard works intermittently with both vessel and sculptural forms.  Eclectic in his interests, he creates traditional classic forms as well as hand built whimsical pieces.  His sculptural pieces sometimes convey messages of our society and times. Working in both porcelain and high fired stoneware, he then alters the forms and adds embossed designs and texture to the surface, After bisque firing Richard adds layers of glaze to paint images of landscapes and nature.

While some of Richard’s forms are universal, some are classic traditional oriental forms. The  utilitarian pieces and some of the sculptural pieces are fired In an electric kiln while other pieces are  raku fired, based on the traditional Japanese process of firing. His work ranges from functional dinnerware, lamps, planters and vases to one-of-a-kind sculptural pottery heads, fish goblets, vases and vessels.  Richard creates pieces for everyday use as well as works of art that are sought after by collectors.