Raku Process

“Raku” when translated means “happiness through chance” as well as joy, pleasure, comfort, and contentment.

In this firing process, a complex alchemy takes place involving the four primordial elements earth fire water and air.  Raku work is valued for the unique colors and for the dramatic way in which it is fired. The uniqueness of this process makes the finished work stand out among all other pottery techniques.

The firing process involves removing pottery from the kiln while at bright red heat and placing it into containers with combustible materials. Once the materials ignite, the containers are closed. This produces an intense reduction atmosphere which effects the colors in glazes and clay bodies. The drastic thermal shock also produces beautiful crazing (known as crackling since it is deliberate).

“Raindrop Raku ™ ” is a process I developed where I hold the red-hot pottery outside in the rain, letting the raindrops hit the molten surface. It is then placed in the combustible container.  This is what creates the beautiful circular crackle patterns in the glaze.

The spontaneity and unpredictable results of the firing is why I enjoy creating raku-fired ceramics.  Just like people, each urn is a unique creation, a one of a kind piece of art never to be duplicated.