Ralph Bacerra attended the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angelas. Although his original intention was to become a graphic designer, his career path changed after taking a course with Vivika Heino (Stewart, 2008). Heino was the main ceramics teacher at Chouinard and it was under his guidance that Bacerra discovered his love for ceramics. Heino was very influential in her use of enamels and inspired Bacerra to experiment and expand regarding her enamelling methods. After a brief military stint, Bacerra traveled to China and Japan where he was strongly influenced by Eastern style and enameling techniques. Bacerra returned to Chouinard where he taught for eight years and served as chair of the ceramics department and later held the same position at Otis College of Art and Design (Bacerra, 2004). Bacerra uses very particular geometric elements in his ceramic pieces. Bacerra's pieces incorporate stripes of changing background hues, meandering lines, with cubes and cones intertwined with cylinders and other geometric volumes (Lloyd, 2010; Clothier, 2012). At first glance Bacerra's pieces appear to have odds and ends sticking out in peculiar, random ways. However, when you look closer, all the shapes and lines interact in a simple and elegant way. Many of his pieces have a mixture of both organic and mechanical elements. He uses organic shell-like circles and smooth, almost fused lines together with defined geometric squares, triangles and circles that give his work a distinct abstract look. Bacerra uses a wide range of colors in his pieces, but sticks mostly to a bluish-green palate with golden undertones. Many of his pieces consist of different shades and values ​​of blue and green (sometimes purple... middle of the sheet... the 7-19). Interview by F Lloyd [audio tape recording]. Oral history interview with Ralph Bacerra. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. , Retrieved from http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/interviews/oral-history-interview-ralph-bacerra-12942 Clothier, P. (2012). Ralph Bacerra. American Ceramics, Retrieved from http://www.peterclothier.com/ralph-bacerra.htmlHamer, F., & Hamer, J. (2004). The dictionary of potter's materials and techniques. (5 ed.). Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. Lloyd, F. (2010). Ralph Bacerra. Retrieved from http://www.franklloyd.com/dynamic/artist_bio.asp?ArtistID=1Jenyns, S. (1971). Japanese ceramics. London, England: Praeger Publishers.Stewart, J.Y. (2008, June 13). Ceramic artist famous for his use of patterns. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/13/local/me-bacerra13