Raku

In order to create the unique effects
seen on the image of Reborn (right), I
must use the raku process of glazing my
pieces. This is an ancient and highly
unpredictable process whereby the
piece is plucked red-hot from the kiln
(left) with tongs (lower left) and plunged
into a canister filled with flammable
materials such as wood shavings and
paper strips. (middle right). The lid is
quickly clamped on to keep the smoke
in. As they cool in the oxygen-starved
environment, the pieces suck the smoky
atmosphere into the porous clay body
(known as reduction) which develops
the distinctive look of raku.

After a half-hour or so the pieces, now
cool enough to hold with gloves, are
taken out of the cans and scrubbed to
remove built-up soot (lower right and
bottom).

You can see me in my sporting black
leather jacket in these two photos, but
it's not as a fashion statement! We
generally wear leather during raku to
keep from getting burned as we move
around these red-hot and flammable
materials. A ventilator mask would also
have been a good idea as the fumes
can get nasty-- next time!

I'll post more photos of my raku pieces
on this page once I get them completed
and photographed. (5/08)