"Quagga"

Raku ceramic sculpture

116" tall

14"

$1,500.00

$750Best.Fir0

Putting on the final, finishes touches on the still wet

clay sculpture, before it is completely dry.

  Prior to this step, the piece was bisque fired, and then a clear glaze was applied in certain areas, to create a pattern.  Then, the sculpture was fired again in the kiln, to set the glaze.

Here, the Quagga is coming out of the hot kiln.

WWhile it is still hot,

the sculpture is placed in a metal can, that is filled with leaves, and hay.

The heat from the sculpture, ignites the organic material, and, as you see here, creates fire and smoke.

This is what creates the gray and black colors on the clay..

After a short while, the sculpture is lifted out of the can, and continues to smoke.  This is what gives Raku clay pots, sculpture, etc, the unusual effect.

The hay is moved around and arranged, to distribute the smoke and heat around the piece, and somewhat control where the smoky color is going to go.

Where the glaze was applied, the clay stays white, and where the clay was unglazed, the smoke gives it the beautiful, natural charcoal colors.

I used a clear, crackle glaze on this piece, and that's why it has the unique, crackle look.  The smoke gets into the cracks, and gives it the beautiful patterns and

coloration.

The beauty of Raku, is that you can't totally control it.

It almost has a mind of it's own.

But the results are striking!