About Us

Henrik Van Ryzin & Denise Van Ryzin make a variety of faux artifacts inspired by Polynesian Pop, adventure, exploration, and South Seas Mystery. Former Hollywood Artists (Henrik worked in Makeup FX, Denise in film editing), they founded VanTiki Studio in 2001.  Hawaii born, VanTiki is known as one of the cleanest and sharpest "tiki mug" makers - especially for his molds!  His attention to detail and expert sculting abilities (honed in his years working in Hollywood Special FX) shine as every mug in the edition is painstakingly cast, cleaned, glazed, packed, and shipped by Henrik and Denise.  Henrik's upringing in Hawaii impacts his art and his respect for the Hawaiian culture is always a consideration.  While VanTiki will always be a "tiki mug" maker and artist, Henrik has a strong background and interest in many different mediums; screen printing, award winning digital animation, wood-working, and metalsmithing.  And while "tiki mug" maker is a mainstream term describing our work, VanTiki aims to create exotic artifacts that lean more towards the adventure and exploration theme.  And "Exotic Adventure Ceramicist" just doesn't roll off the tongue!

In 2024, Van Ryzin Studios was created to encompass artwork that didn't easily fall under the "tiki mug" descriptor.  The VanTiki moniker remains the identifier for Henrik's art.  With Van Ryzin Studios acting as the producer.

 All VanTiki artifacts and tiki mugs are created by hand, by us at the Mt. VanTiki Ranger Station tucked into the Oregon woods. Many of these are documented in the popular YouTube Channel: VanTiki Studios. We produce our ceramic tiki mugs as either one-of-a-kind hand-built mugs, or limited edition castings. Once an edition is cast, all molds are destroyed.

Artifacts produced by Van Ryzin Studios will also be made by us here in Oregon and some will be produced in partnership with other artists and noted clearly in documentation.