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.  

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for images of Anitra's Raku fired Earthling Sculptures