November's Anagama Firing

The Gustin anagama was fired in November. Here are a few of the pieces that I had in the kiln.

Tea Bowl

Tea Bowl

Sake Cup

Sake Cup

Yunomi

Yunomi

Sake Flask

Sake Flask

Refires

I rarely have a piece come out of a wood firing that I am completely pleased with. It does occur, but not often, and certainly not in high numbers. What I am looking for out of a firing is depth and variation of surface, or "landscape", as a piece is rotated 360 degrees. Refiring provides the opportunity for a piece to obtain this. The first image below is an example of a sake cup that was initally fired on the side wall of the anagama firebox. It achieved superior ash melt, but I find it to be lackluster in surface variation. Thus, a prime candidate for refiring! The second image is after a second firing, and exemplifies the aesthetics I am seeking.

First firing

Second firing

Out of the Ashes

These wood fired pieces were selected for inclusion in "Out of the Ashes", a national exhibition showcasing contemporary wood fired ceramics. It is being held at Morean Center for Clay, St. Petersburg, FL. From approximately 200 entries, 55 works were chosen. The show opens on December 10th, 2016 and runs through January 30th, 2017.

Chawan (w/ wooden box)

Firebox Guinomi

Bud Vase

IWFE poster

This is the poster for Schaller Gallery's current "International Wood Fired Exhibition", curated by Phil Rogers (Wales, UK). It is an honor to have been chosen to participate.

Cassville, WI Firing

Ken Bichall, of Dubuque, Iowa, was kind enough to ask me this summer if I would like to have some work fired in the inaugural firing of a new wood kiln he was constructing in Cassville, Wisconsin. In September he fired for seven and one half days, achieving c/11+. Here are five sake cups that I had in the kiln...

 

 

 

 

 

Taiwan Chawan Expo

The International Chawan Expo Exhibition is being held in Maioli,Taiwan this year, and there are two venues. The first is at the Northern Maioli Art Center, from November 1st - 10th, 2016. The second exhibition is being held at the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute, also located in Maioli, from November 15th, 2016 - February 1st, 2017. These are the three wood fired kurinuki chawan I will have on display...

International Wood Fired Ceramics

These eight wood fired pieces will be part of "International Wood Fired Ceramics 2016", curated by Phil Rogers. The show's venue is Schaller Gallery, 210 State Street, St. Joseph, MI, and runs from October 11th - early November, 2016. This exhibition can be viewed online by clicking: HERE

Tea Caddy

Sake Cup

Sake Cup

Tea Bowl

Bud Vase

Yunomi

Yunomi

Yunomi