Loading and Firing with Jeff Shapiro

I recently had the special opportunity to help Jeff Shapiro load and fire his anagama kiln. Jeff is a true master at his art and my time spent there was like a one-on-one workshop, an unparalleled experience. I came away with a more grand awareness of firing with intent. Jeff's aesthetical approach to his work, both in the forming process, as well as towards firing, provided me with a deeper insight into the direction for my own work. 

Kiln stacked.

Jeff's wife Hinako stoking.

The results were quite spectacular, atleast from my aesthetical standpoint, and demonstrated what can be achieved from firing with wood. Prolonged heat and flame, ash, and coals can have an astounding effect on raw clay. Here are some of my pieces that came out of this firing:

Sake Cup



Sake Cup
SOLD



Sake Cup
SOLD

Sake Cup
NFS

Sake Cup

Sake Cup

Sake Cup

Sake Cup
SOLD

                                                                           

Tokkuri (sake bottle)

Kata Kuchi (cold sake pourer)

Small Plate

Yunomi

Yunomi

Tea Bowl

Summer Tea Bowl
NFS