Designer Profile - Rick Wittrig

The Olympic Third Rock by Rick Wittrig

Rick WittrigRick Wittrig's talent has taken him on quite a journey. Known for his innovative fire pit designs, the artist was raised in a small Mennonite farming community in central Illinois and has now become a well known artisan creating distinctive centerpieces for outdoor sapces. One of his latest creations was a commission by the Vancouver Olympic Committee to design a fire pit for the 2010 Olympics.

Wittrig at WorkRick started designing and manufacturing his own fire pits after one he had purchased collapsed and caught his lawn on fire. “I knew I could make something that was built better and looked pleasing to the eye and would last a long time.”

Tidal by Rick Wittrig

Asia by Rick Wittrig

“At present I use primarily bowl shaped objects for my designs so my attention is always drawn to that shape,” Rick states. “Each new design starts with a thought which translates into an idea. The idea becomes a sketch and then a line drawing on a piece of steel. Then I use a plasma cutter to cut the steel.”

Rick has an ambitious goal moving forward. “The possibilities for design seem endless at times but there are practical limits for a family sized fire pit due to weight and proportion for the setting in which it will live. That being said I have plans for giant public display pieces and I will at sometime combine fire and water. Right now I have more ideas than time. I certainly enjoy those moments when a new process or design pops into my head.”

From growing up in a small Mennonite farming community in central Illinois to 25 years later having the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Committee commission one of his fire pits artisan Rick Wittrig’s talent has taken him on a quite a journey.

Rick started designing and manufacturing his own fire pits after one he had purchased collapsed and caught his lawn on fire. “I knew I could make something that was built better and looked pleasing to the eye and would last a long time.”

“At present I use primarily bowl shaped objects for my designs so my attention is always drawn to that shape” Rick states. “Each new design starts with a thought which translates into an idea. The idea becomes a sketch and then a line drawing on a piece of steel. Finally I use a plasma cutter to cut the steel.”

What design direction do you see going forward? “The possibilities for design seem endless at times but there are practical limits for a family sized fire pit due to weight and proportion for the setting in which it will live. That being said I have plans for giant public display pieces and I will at sometime combine fire and water. Right now I have more ideas than time. I certainly enjoy those moments when a new process or design pops into my head.”



Manta Ray by Rick Wittrig

Barefoot Beach by Rick Wittrig