Ceramics
NAKED RAKU - VESSEL 450mm H
This process is one of those in ceramics that is in the first instance dead simple until you try it and then every bit of patience has to be called upon to anything like succeed.
You either "throw" the pot on the wheel or use the "coil" method. When nearly dry it is burnished with a tool of your choice -- a pebble is the usual favorite but stainless steel spoons have been used.
When dry it is bisq.fired to around 950 deg.C.
Next it is covered is a "Resist slip" and probably the next day is coated in a normal clear Raku glaze.
Suitably dry enough to handle it is then enscribed through the coatings and fired rapidly to around 890 deg. C.
Taken out of the kiln and placed in a "smoking chamber" with sawdust and left for a calculated period.
After a nervous wait it is removed and if luck is with us the slip coating peels off like an eggshell and tke lines have blackened with the carbon from the smoke.
Give it a kiss and wax polish and there is your "Baby"!
Photographer: Robert C. Mowle