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| Click on the pictures to see full descriptions and link to our on-line Ceramic Gallery and Shop |
“Volcano Vase”: thrown
on the wheel and altered ;
raku fired.
on the wheel and altered ;
raku fired.
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To fully understand the Raku Firing Process, one would have to delve into and study Japanese culture. Raku is deeply
associated and intertwined with the ancient Japanese tea ceremony. Serving and drinking tea using Raku fired bowls is an age
old “happening” that is still performed in some areas of Japan. Tradition, religion, attitude and philosophy of life are all integral
parts of the process.
The Raku Firing Process involves a special kiln, that can be raised and lowered over the pieces to be fired. Raku glazes contain
a lot of copper that gives the fired pieces: green, red, blue and copper shades. The temperature is rather quickly run up to about
1800-2000 degrees F and then the kiln is raised, revealing red hot pieces standing there. The piece then placed in a bucket
containing combustible materials. As soon as the red hot piece comes in contact with the combustible materials, spontaneous
combustion occurs. The lid is put over the can tightly in order to make reduction atmosphere and let the flames seek for the
oxygen removing it from the glaze and clay body of the piece. The result is black clay body and very interesting colors on the
piece. Depending on the type of combustible materials, the glaze composition and the time in the can, no two pieces of Raku will
ever be the same. It 's like Christmas! After the piece is removed from the can and sprinkled with water and the colors are then
“set”.
Raku ceramics by their creative process and their very nature serve only for decorative purposes and are not intended to be used
for food or tea !
associated and intertwined with the ancient Japanese tea ceremony. Serving and drinking tea using Raku fired bowls is an age
old “happening” that is still performed in some areas of Japan. Tradition, religion, attitude and philosophy of life are all integral
parts of the process.
The Raku Firing Process involves a special kiln, that can be raised and lowered over the pieces to be fired. Raku glazes contain
a lot of copper that gives the fired pieces: green, red, blue and copper shades. The temperature is rather quickly run up to about
1800-2000 degrees F and then the kiln is raised, revealing red hot pieces standing there. The piece then placed in a bucket
containing combustible materials. As soon as the red hot piece comes in contact with the combustible materials, spontaneous
combustion occurs. The lid is put over the can tightly in order to make reduction atmosphere and let the flames seek for the
oxygen removing it from the glaze and clay body of the piece. The result is black clay body and very interesting colors on the
piece. Depending on the type of combustible materials, the glaze composition and the time in the can, no two pieces of Raku will
ever be the same. It 's like Christmas! After the piece is removed from the can and sprinkled with water and the colors are then
“set”.
Raku ceramics by their creative process and their very nature serve only for decorative purposes and are not intended to be used
for food or tea !
“Pussy Willow Bowl": thrown
on the wheel and altered, multi-
layered glazing,naked-raku
process, fired multiple times in
electric and raku kilns
on the wheel and altered, multi-
layered glazing,naked-raku
process, fired multiple times in
electric and raku kilns
“Geometric Vase”: hand-
built; white crackle glaze; raku
fired
built; white crackle glaze; raku
fired
“Sunflower”: hand-built;
multi-layered glazing, raku fired.
multi-layered glazing, raku fired.
"Integration" Thrown on the wheel and altered,
multi-layered glazing, naked-raku process, fired
multiple times in electric and raku kilns; pedestal is
hand-built from walnut wood, altered to fit the bowl.
Designed by Elena Miller . Wood work is done by
wood artist Gregg Straitmatter.
multi-layered glazing, naked-raku process, fired
multiple times in electric and raku kilns; pedestal is
hand-built from walnut wood, altered to fit the bowl.
Designed by Elena Miller . Wood work is done by
wood artist Gregg Straitmatter.
“Weaved Basket": hand-built,
raku fired, integrated with red wood.
raku fired, integrated with red wood.
“Heart Flame”: hand-
built; multi-layered
glazing, raku fired. The
ceramic vessel is
integrated with red wood.
built; multi-layered
glazing, raku fired. The
ceramic vessel is
integrated with red wood.
"Blue Coral Bowl”: thrown on
the wheel and altered, under glazes,
multi-layered glazing, raku fired.
the wheel and altered, under glazes,
multi-layered glazing, raku fired.
“Sea World Anemone”;
hand- built from paper clay, multi-
layered glazing; multi-media with
embedded wire, raku fired.
hand- built from paper clay, multi-
layered glazing; multi-media with
embedded wire, raku fired.
Elena and her teacher
and a friend LisaPaytes
creating magic..
and a friend LisaPaytes
creating magic..
Ceramic Gallery
"Fall Leaf”: hand-build, multi-
layered glazing, raku fired.
layered glazing, raku fired.
“Japanese Kimonos”; hand-built
from slabs, multiple glazing; , raku fired
from slabs, multiple glazing; , raku fired
"Night Vibrations Mural"; hand-
built from raku and paper clay,
multi-layered glazing; multi-media with
embedded wire screens, raku fired .
built from raku and paper clay,
multi-layered glazing; multi-media with
embedded wire screens, raku fired .
“Peacock Bottle”: hand-
built; under glazes, white
crackle glaze; raku firing
built; under glazes, white
crackle glaze; raku firing
Inspired by Nature Hand-built Raku Ceramics
Dr. Zeus Aquarium
Series: “Crab Mad”;
hand-built sculpture, multi-
layered glazing, raku fired.
Series: “Crab Mad”;
hand-built sculpture, multi-
layered glazing, raku fired.
Dr. Zeus Aquarium
Series: “Octopus
Marcus”; hand-built , multi-
layered glazing, raku fired.
Series: “Octopus
Marcus”; hand-built , multi-
layered glazing, raku fired.
Dr. Zeus Aquarium
Series: “Crab Zap”; hand-
built sculpture, multi-layered
glazing, raku fired.
Series: “Crab Zap”; hand-
built sculpture, multi-layered
glazing, raku fired.
Dr. Zeus Aquarium Series:
“Shoe Crab Cute”; hand-built
sculpture, multi-layered glazing, raku
fired.
“Shoe Crab Cute”; hand-built
sculpture, multi-layered glazing, raku
fired.
"Wedding Guitar", hand-built from
slabs , raku fired.
slabs , raku fired.
“Bone Jar”: thrown on the
wheel and altered, white crackle
glazing, raku fired.
wheel and altered, white crackle
glazing, raku fired.
“Elegance”. This bottle is thrown on
the wheel, white crackle glazing, and
luster paint, raku fired.
the wheel, white crackle glazing, and
luster paint, raku fired.
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My favorite Raku Glazes
ReductionFire
Oxidation Fire
“Volcano Vase”: thrown on the wheel;
washed-off clay process, multi-layered glazing;
raku firing
washed-off clay process, multi-layered glazing;
raku firing
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Wearable Art. Inspired by Nature... Hand-built Raku Necklaces
| Click on the pictures to see full descriptions and link to our on-line Ceramic Gallery and Shop |
