Firing Horsehair Pottery
Horsehair firing is a method of decorating pottery by applying horsehair and/or feathers to the heated surface. The burning material creates patterns and carbon trails on the surface that remains as decoration after the piece cools.
It is not clear how horsehair pottery originated. Although horsehair firing is generally considered an alternative form of Western-style raku, some people believe it originated among Native Americans because many Native American artists produce the pottery.
Before firing the piece, I use a burnishing technique to polish the dry clay with mineral oil and a smooth river rock. This process tightens the clay particles and provides a glossy sheen to the ware.
The piece is then fired to 1855° F, and allowed to cool to 1000° F. I then pull the piece from the kiln. With only a small window of time, I have about 30-45 seconds to quickly place the horsehair on the hot clay pot. Once the temperature falls below 900° F, the clay will no longer accept the horsehair. After cooling, the pots are cleaned and polished with wax.
It is not clear how horsehair pottery originated. Although horsehair firing is generally considered an alternative form of Western-style raku, some people believe it originated among Native Americans because many Native American artists produce the pottery.
Before firing the piece, I use a burnishing technique to polish the dry clay with mineral oil and a smooth river rock. This process tightens the clay particles and provides a glossy sheen to the ware.
The piece is then fired to 1855° F, and allowed to cool to 1000° F. I then pull the piece from the kiln. With only a small window of time, I have about 30-45 seconds to quickly place the horsehair on the hot clay pot. Once the temperature falls below 900° F, the clay will no longer accept the horsehair. After cooling, the pots are cleaned and polished with wax.
Barrel Firing/Pit Firing
Barrel firing and pit firing are alternative methods used to obtain unique effects on pottery. There are only a few differences between barrel firing and pit firing. Barrel firing is executed in a barrel (instead of a pit) stacked with a limited amount of wood, leaves, sawdust or any other combustible material.
The pieces I create are first bisque fired to 1855° F. and left to cool. The next step in my process involves spraying or brushing small areas of each piece with water soluble metal salts. Sometimes adding accents of copper wire, horsehair or seaweed, I then wrap each piece in an aluminum foil saggar. This 'controlled chaos' is what intrigues me most about barrel firing. Although I know these elements will provide the red, orange, yellow and green colorants, I never know exactly how the piece will look until the firing is complete.
Layering the bottom of a barrel with dried wood, leaves and sawdust, and tumble stacking the pots with interspersed twigs, leaves, paper, salt and seaweed (when available) the pots are ready to fire. The firing lasts about an hour and then is allowed to cool down. Once cool, the pots are cleaned and polished with wax.
The pieces I create are first bisque fired to 1855° F. and left to cool. The next step in my process involves spraying or brushing small areas of each piece with water soluble metal salts. Sometimes adding accents of copper wire, horsehair or seaweed, I then wrap each piece in an aluminum foil saggar. This 'controlled chaos' is what intrigues me most about barrel firing. Although I know these elements will provide the red, orange, yellow and green colorants, I never know exactly how the piece will look until the firing is complete.
Layering the bottom of a barrel with dried wood, leaves and sawdust, and tumble stacking the pots with interspersed twigs, leaves, paper, salt and seaweed (when available) the pots are ready to fire. The firing lasts about an hour and then is allowed to cool down. Once cool, the pots are cleaned and polished with wax.
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