Raku is a traditional Japanese firing process dating back to the beginning of the 16th century. Traditionally this technique was used to produce tea bowls for the tea ceremony. Characteristically the pieces at that time were simple and had no decoration. Since then, Raku has evolved to become a popular form of ceramic art.
This firing technique involves a very rapid heating and cooling of the pieces. Each piece is first bisque fired to prepare it for glazing. The glazed or unglazed pieces are then placed in a kiln and fired to a temperature of 1500-1800 degrees Farenheit (or until the glazes melt). While the glaze is still molten and glowing hot the pieces are removed from the kiln with tongs and placed into a container full of combustible materials (like newspaper, straw, leaves or sawdust). After igniting, a lid is placed on the container starving the oxygen from the atmosphere and reducing the glazes to these dramatic metallic or crackle finishes. We call this a post (after)-reduction firing. The process requires total involvement and an intimate understanding of the materials, transforming the pottery into sensual and dramatic forms of art.
Pop-off Raku is a technique where a thick slip is applied to the surface of a burnished pot, then a thick layer of glaze. Before the layers are dry I draw designs through the slip-glaze layer, back to the clay body. The piece is then fired in a raku kiln and put into the can of reduction materials (newspapers or pine needles). The smoke from the burning material goes into the exposed clay and creates the design. The fired shell of slip and glaze fall away to expose the design. The slip and glaze essentially act as a mask. These pieces, considered “naked” with out glaze, are then sprayed with an acrylic so the surface is protected form grease and the elements.
