These pieces are made from the same clay I use for my Raku work.
I began experimenting with the concept of firing to Salt-Glazed Stoneware temperatures at the speeds usually reserved for Raku firings several years ago.
Some of the resulting work is displayed below.....

images are links to enlargements.

These pieces were loosely glazed and stacked in the kiln using extruded tubes that were bisque fired and dipped in alumina hydrate (as a salt resist) to keep them from sticking to the shelves in the kiln.

Charcoal ashes from my bar-b-que were also used on the pieces. They were fired to cone 9-10 in about 3 1/2 hours and salted for about 40 minutes. Cooling for about 6-8 hours before down stacking the kiln.

 

A complete set of photos will be posted of the kiln and firing later, on this site. Please come back again and see the new images as the work progresses.

Workshop!

I will be teaching a workshop covering this method of making and firing pots at Clayarts Studio & Gallery
in Emmitsburg, MD VOTE ON A DATE ABOVE.
Each participant may bring 5-10 pieces. At least half of them should not exceed 8" in height. Use Standard Ceramics #239 Claybody. This is a great body for Raku and salt glazing!

There will be plenty of room to camp.

Friday evening will feature a ceramic art video and pizza party.

Saturday Morning we will arise early and have coffee and treats, glazing for a few hours and loading the kiln. Once the kiln is started we will finish the glazing. I will do a throwing demo as the firing progresses. There will be a lunch break and then Salt the kiln. Rakuing will be done in the afternoon and a barbeque dinner will be served. Participants may avail themselves of the hot-tub in the evening.

Sunday morning we will unload the kiln and immediately load another firing or continue Raku firing as decided upon by the group. We also have the option of touring a 3 chamber Niborigama kiln at another potter's studio at the end of the workshop.

Out of towners may camp here Sunday night and depart Monday if they wish.

The cost for the workshop will be $250.
Meals, glazes, and firing costs included.
For more info. click the e-mail link below and write me.

Workshop in Easton, MD Academy Art Museum

After the workshop here at the end of July I received the following via e-mail"

Hi Robert,

Mary and I kind of debriefed on the way home from Emmitsburg...let's see if
I can remember the high points.

First of all, it was great meeting and getting to know you. It was our pleasure.

Secondly, we learned a TON! After only about two hours of the workshop I turned to Mary and said that we had gotten more than our money's worth already. Your willingness to share everything was appreciated. As you alluded to in the workshop, some potters can become very secretive with their glaze formulations and methods, etc. Your openness about these things really allowed the workshop to flow and enabled us to ask whatever questions came to mind without feeling as though we might be "stepping over the line". We definitely took a lot home and are anxious to see how it expresses itself in our work!

One other thing that I wanted to be sure to note. I may or may not have mentioned to you my intention to eventually quit my "day job" and work together with Mary at pottery full time at some point. You mentioned your past studio helpers often during the workshop and I could not help but think that I might like to apprentice with you. I'm just kind of throwing that out there.

Regards,

Jon

Learn more about Salt Glazing!

 

Comments?...email: Robert@clayarts.com