RAKU

When we gave up potting 23 years ago we had primarily been making "domestic" ware; mugs, bowls, and that sort of thing, and it was either made of stoneware clay or porcelain. Sheryl had become quite efficient as a commercial potter, sometimes making dozens of pots a day.
Today making pots at the local community college she is no longer concerned with speed, efficiency and the sort of pressures she once felt and consequently she has branched out and is experimenting more. Yes, she has made some stoneware and salt glazed pieces, but her current direction is with Raku. Raku pots have first been bisque fired then she decorates them with various glazes. Next they are placed in a special Raku kiln that heats up very quickly. It is then opened and with flames licking everything and everybody she reaches in with tongs while wearing long fireproof gloves and snatches out her red hot pot and puts it in a large bucket filled with newspaper, sawdust, leaves...whatever and everything bursts into flames to the point it could be mistaken for idolatry of some sort. This burning material belches out raw carbon which blackens the clay and gives everything a distinctive "Raku" look. The drawback to this is that the pots are still porous and therefore will not hold water, but WOW has she ever got some stunning results. It's a slow technique that no commercial potter could afford but hey...time we got! She's clearly having fun and every evening when she comes home, covered in clay, she is juiced up with energy, creativity and excited to be potting again. Its been fun.