I have added a new form of raku to my spring collection called naked raku. This technique is unique because after the pot is made, while it is semi-dry (leather hard) I pollished it using old nylon hose and plastic grocery bags, spoons or smooth rocks. Sounds strange but what is accomplished is the clay particles are compressed from the rubbing and as the particles move closer together, the clay begins to take on a shine. The technique is called burnishing and takes patience and time to develop the shine.
After the burnishing is complete, the pot is dried, bisqued and then rakued in a traditional raku kiln. No glaze is added so the pot absorbs the smoke and the result is a pot with the soft black shine of naked raku.

Spring is the time to start thinking of letting the sunshine in and what could be a better place to reflect that sunshine than a piece of my raku.

Updating a space can be as easy as changing or adding art work.

The weather is changing and I have been trying to fire the raku kiln as much as possible. Once the temperature during the day drops below 50 degrees, the raku results are not as good. Last week was so beautiful that the results were some of the best I have ever had. I am getting ready for my last two shows of the year, Seagrove, NC Nov 20 - 21 and Greensboro, NC Nov 26 - 28. It has been an exciting year with many new ideas for form and structure. I am going to post some pictures of the new form for 2010 and review the direction I have taken with my work next week. Then I guess it is time to look towards the future, 2011,

Fall pumpkins are a symbol for the season. At the farmers market, I saw a display of pumpkins and they were all sizes, shapes and colors. Why not copper raku pumpkins, I ask myself. So, here they are, full of those inspired shapes, sizes and colors.

Fall Schedule 2010

Fall Schedule: 2010

Sept. 25 - 26 Art on the Square - Matthews NC

Oct. 1-3 Art on Main - Hendersonville, NC

Oct. 8 - 10 Fall Foliage Festival, Waynesboro, VA

Oct. 14 - 17 Craftsmen Classic, Chantilly VA

Nov. 20 - 21 Seagrove Pottery Festival, Seagrove, NC

Nov. 26 - 28 Craftsmen Classic, Greensboro, NC

Raku with lid

This raku piece is 14" high and 10" wide. I love to make containers with lids. Some how them seem complete. The color of the copper raku is rich and the textures move the eye through the piece. I think of my pieces as three dimensional compositions.