My Work
Crackle Textured
These organic and natural looking pieces are visually striking and aesthetically appealing. The almost wood like appearance of each one is unique and is influenced by numerous variables throughout both the forming and firing of each piece. Using a multistep process, during both the forming and glazing of these pieces, the surface is stretched and stained to create the texture and color. I am still experimenting with different glaze combinations, but the style pairs well with many colors. Metallic glazes create a nice juxtaposition between the bright, reflective interior and the natural, wood-like exterior. Shino type glazes, meant to mimic a traditional Japanese glaze style, that break brown where thin, blend well with coloration of the stain. Brighter glazes, especially celadon type glazes, work well as they add color and pop to the otherwise neutral pots. Celadons also allow for underglazing to create interesting designs on the inner surfaces of larger pots or bowls. This style is accomplished in a high fire electric kiln, and, as the interior of the pots are glazed, all pieces are water tight and can be used as vases, mugs (my favorite beer mug is this style), etc.
Raku and Naked Raku
Raku is a traditional Japanese style of pottery most well none for it's shocking firing process. Pots are pulled from the kiln while red hot and placed in reduction chambers filled with combustible materials. The rapid heating and cooling of the pots can be dangerous but rewarding. As the pots cool in the reduction chamber, the combustible material ignites and starts to strip oxygen from the pot and glaze to fuel the fire. This creates striking metallic affects on the surface of the pot.
Naked Raku uses a similar process but does not use glaze, hence naked (sorry if you were hoping for something a little more R rated, but no one is getting anywhere near a Raku kiln sans clothing.) Rather than glaze, a slip, liquid clay, is applied to the surface just before firing. As the slip dries it cracks and begins to peel away from the pot. Carefully, the pot is pulled and placed in the reduction chamber. As the materials burn, the smoke makes its way into the cracks and seeps into the pot. After cooling, the remaining slip is scraped off leaving the natural design created by the smoke. The heat, speed of temperature change, thickness of slip, and other variables affect the size and shape of the cracks creating a one of a kind design on each piece.
Both styles of Raku are low fired and porous. They are mainly decorative pieces as the minerals and chemicals will leach into water and the pot will eventually crumble. They make for beautiful conversation pieces.
Naked Raku uses a similar process but does not use glaze, hence naked (sorry if you were hoping for something a little more R rated, but no one is getting anywhere near a Raku kiln sans clothing.) Rather than glaze, a slip, liquid clay, is applied to the surface just before firing. As the slip dries it cracks and begins to peel away from the pot. Carefully, the pot is pulled and placed in the reduction chamber. As the materials burn, the smoke makes its way into the cracks and seeps into the pot. After cooling, the remaining slip is scraped off leaving the natural design created by the smoke. The heat, speed of temperature change, thickness of slip, and other variables affect the size and shape of the cracks creating a one of a kind design on each piece.
Both styles of Raku are low fired and porous. They are mainly decorative pieces as the minerals and chemicals will leach into water and the pot will eventually crumble. They make for beautiful conversation pieces.