Raku-Smoke Fired
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Smoke fired vessels by Loretta Mac Nab. Smoke or pit fired pottery is handcrafted, coated with several layers of Terra Sigillata (a very fine clay slip), polished by hand, bisque fired and then fired between layers of sawdust or other combustibles, such as leaves and straw. When the fire is burning well, the kiln is covered and allowed to smoulder. The fired pots will have flashings from the fire and markings from the other combustibles. No two firings are ever the same and so each piece is truly one of a kind. |
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Judy Walker |
Steve Robinson
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click image for more of Leslie's work Leslie Bergeron |
Raku is derived from an ancient Japanese method of firing. The pots are removed from the kiln when red hot and placed in a bed of peat moss, leaves, grasses or newspaper. The unique pattern of colours and metallic finish comes from the interplay of flames, smoke and rapid cooling. Due to the low-fire method, Raku is strictly decorative. No two pieces are ever alike. Each one of these potters use the same type of firing techniques, but their individual styles are vastly different and each piece is certainly one of a kind.
