Richard Pankratz grew up in the Flint Hills of rural Kansas and heard his life's calling while still a young boy. Without the resources available, he had to wait until after high school to begin formal training at the Kansas City Art Institute, 100 miles and a world away from his home. To please his parents, Richard took the “safe” path and taught art at high schools in Kansas and Colorado for 11 years. But the call to create would not go away.

Trained in painting, printmaking, and the creation and design of jewelry, Richard chose ceramics as his medium for his return to producing artist. Thanks to the explosion of the crafts movement in the 70's, he was able to prosper with original pottery creations that afforded him the opportunity to leave teaching. Now 30 years later, Richard has evolved. He now includes wood and metal in his decorative vessel and furniture pieces.