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Raku pottery is a dramatic low-fire ceramic technique originating in 16th century Japan. The process involves pulling glowing hot pottery from a kiln and plunging it into a pail of combustable materials ( like sawdust or newspaper) which then bursts into flame from the heat.. Shortly after the inferno flares, the pail is covered with a fitted lid which quickly smothers the fire. When the fire is extinguished, it makes a ton of smoke that colors the pottery with dark sooty black colors. Also the rapid cooling from the kiln to the pail creates distinct crackle patterns and does some crazy stuff with the glaze colors. Many pieces don’t survive the thermal shock of raku firing, so every piece of raku for sale is a survivor! This cardinal couple seems very pleased to have made it out alive!
Unique sculptures made using the pinch pot technique, and glazed with the closest approximation of raku glazes to suggest the intended bird’s color. You just don’t know until it comes out of the fire!
Raku fired pottery is for decorative purposes only and is not watertight or food safe.
Dimensions: 4” tall x 3” wide x 4” deep
Artist Statement: I think nearly everyone in New Mexico must be a bird lover. There are so many amazing species that call this place home, or at least vacation here with the changing seasons. Raku pottery is exciting to make and the end results are always a surprise. Some of my birds end up being entirely different species than originally planned, once pulled from the fire and washed of their sooty coat.
Raku pottery is a dramatic low-fire ceramic technique originating in 16th century Japan. The process involves pulling glowing hot pottery from a kiln and plunging it into a pail of combustable materials ( like sawdust or newspaper) which then bursts into flame from the heat.. Shortly after the inferno flares, the pail is covered with a fitted lid which quickly smothers the fire. When the fire is extinguished, it makes a ton of smoke that colors the pottery with dark sooty black colors. Also the rapid cooling from the kiln to the pail creates distinct crackle patterns and does some crazy stuff with the glaze colors. Many pieces don’t survive the thermal shock of raku firing, so every piece of raku for sale is a survivor! This cardinal couple seems very pleased to have made it out alive!
Unique sculptures made using the pinch pot technique, and glazed with the closest approximation of raku glazes to suggest the intended bird’s color. You just don’t know until it comes out of the fire!
Raku fired pottery is for decorative purposes only and is not watertight or food safe.
Dimensions: 4” tall x 3” wide x 4” deep
Artist Statement: I think nearly everyone in New Mexico must be a bird lover. There are so many amazing species that call this place home, or at least vacation here with the changing seasons. Raku pottery is exciting to make and the end results are always a surprise. Some of my birds end up being entirely different species than originally planned, once pulled from the fire and washed of their sooty coat.