For decades, he helped students turn ideas into art. Now, “Wandering Wisconsin” takes us north to his own artist's studio.

Bruce Kaupanger taught art at Rice Lake High School for 33 years. Six years ago, he built his studio after his mom told him 'you better have something to do when you retire!’

Before a block of clay can be molded into something beautiful, a vision has to spin into shape. And an artist has to find time to create.

"I made tons of sketch books over the years filled with drawings and ideas and now I’m able to do it and that's really a kick," Kaupanger tells us as he works in his Spring Creek Clay, Etc. studio.

Kaupanger uses mostly raku clay for his work. Because raku has a lot of sand in it, he says it can heat and cool quickly without breaking.

"The piece comes out of the kiln and you put it in leaves or sawdust or anything that can burn and it takes on the wonderful colors,” Kaupanger says. “This piece has raku glazes so you get the iridescent colors. Then, I'll take horse hair and when the pot is still hot, I’ll put it on the piece in different directions and it burns into the piece leaving these black lines."

It's a trick a once pupil actually taught the teacher.

"That was really something great to learn from a past student,” he says. “I'm quite proud of a lot of my students."

And he's also proud that even though his days in the classroom are behind him, his knowledge continues to expand through his own art.

"I was always preaching to my students 'you have to think, be creative and expand your horizons. There's gotta be different ways,’ Kaupanger says. “I'm pleased that when I got done teaching, my personal growth didn't end at that point. It's never-ending if you allow yourself to be open to new ideas and different things. And it's really exciting!"

Kaupanger’s work is available in his studio at 2243 18 ¾ Ave. in Rice Lake. If you’d like to stop by, you can e-mail him at bkaupanger@charter.net.

It’s also sold at The courtyard Art Gallery in Chetek, The Dancing Bird Art Studio in Cumberland and The Potter's Shed in Shell Lake.