Blog — Formed Earth Studio

Jo Reid September 1, 2023

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I do alternative firing pottery using propane, newsprint and organic combustibles. I have three different Raku styles: Copper Flash, Horse Hair and Crackle Raku with hand painted designs inspired by the natural world of the Pacific Northwest.

I use a medium body white mid-range clay, as well as a highly grogged clay for some of the larger pieces. All raku is generally porous and is not suitable for fresh floral arrangements unless a glass or plastic container is inserted in the vase. On request I will coat the pieces with a commercial grout sealer to reduce the leakage.

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Copper Flash Raku: After creating a suitable pot, the piece is bisque fired. Then a copper flash glaze is applied. It is then fired in a propane kiln until about 1830F and the glaze has completely melted. The piece is then removed from the kiln while it is still red hot and place it in a container filled with various combustibles (newsprint, wood shavings, bark, etc.) The hot pot ignites the combustibles which I let burn for a minute before placing a lid on the container to snuff the flames. MUCH smoke ensures. This is the magic step. The smoke swirls in the container and the crates oxidation patterns based on the fire and oxygen content. Once the container cools the pot is removed and cleaned. The pot will continue to change over the new several hours and more copper flashing will show up.

Horse Hair Raku: I use my daughter-in-law’s hair, which produces a beautiful clean line, enabling me to draw pictures with the hair and smoke. After throwing a suitable pot I apply colored Terra Sigillate (t-sig) to lay in a background, similar to what a watercolor artist does. The t-sig is then burnished to give it a buttery surface. It is then bisque fired in an electric kiln. Then it is fired in the propane kiln and removed when it reaches 1830F. The hair is applied when the pot has cooled to about 1400F. I apply two to three strands of hair at a time and watch them dance across the pot, I sometimes will throw a small handful of sugar at the pot which caramelizes into accent spots.

Crackle Raku: After throwing a suitable pot I apply tinted t-sig or underglaze over white t-sig to lay in a background. The t-sig is then burnished to give it a smooth surface for drawing. It is then bisque fired in an electric kiln. After removing it from the bisque kiln I free-hand draw various subject matter and add additional underglaze accents. Since the drawings are very detailed, I will fire it once again in the bisque kiln to set the design. Then I will apply a Raku glaze that is formulated to crackle when subjected to a sudden temperature change. I then fire it in the propane kiln and watch the fire using welding glasses, until I can see that the glazes and melted, generally between 1830F and 1860F. I then remove the pot and set it on a pedestal and blow air on it causing the glaze to crackle/craze. When I am satisfied with the number of cracks I place the pot which has now cooled to about 1400F into a container filled with various combustibles (newsprint, wood shavings, bark etc.). The hot pot ignites the combustibles which I let burn for a minute before placing a lid on the container to snuff the flames. MUCH smoke ensures. This is the magic step. Once the container cools, I remove the pot which is now coated in smoke smut. I then carefully remove the smut (sometimes leaving some for accent) to reveal the now black crackle in the glaze. The pattern in the crackle will depend on where I blow air on the pot and the shape of the pot.

I plan to use this blog for sharing stories of great people I meet, introducing readers to new artists, and sharing the beauty of the Pacific Northwest that inspire my pieces. Thank you for reading.