Raku Fired Earthling Sculptures
| Raku firing is "pyromaniac in action". The ware, in this case, the Earthling sculpture, is bisque fired to 1,800°. This method of firing produces some spectacular colors that are not achieved in the other conventional methods of firing. Next the glaze is applied and the sculpture goes back into a special kiln to fired the glaze to maturation. It is removed from the kiln before it can cool and placed in combustible materials in a non-combustible container, then and sealed . This "smothering " the art work in smoke is known as a "post reduction phase" or reducing the amount of oxygen present. Although this process is said to originated in sixteenth century Japan, a Japanese visitor to the studio here in Mesa claimed that this is an American method of firing. |
for images of Anitra's Raku fired Earthling Sculptures |