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“Volcano Vase”: thrown
on the wheel and altered ;
raku firing
on the wheel and altered ;
raku firing
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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 !
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 !
“Geometric Vase”: hand-
built; white crackle glaze; raku
firing
built; white crackle glaze; raku
firing
“Pussy Willow Bowl": thrown on the
wheel and altered, multi-layered glazing,
naked-raku process, fired multiple times
in electric and raku kilns
wheel and altered, multi-layered glazing,
naked-raku process, fired multiple times
in electric and raku kilns
“Sunflower”: hand-built;
multi-layered glazing, raku
firing.
multi-layered glazing, raku
firing.
" Integration": multi-media sculpture. Bowl is 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.
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.
“Weaved Basket": hand-
built from coils, multi-layered
glazing, raku firing,
integrated with red wood.
built from coils, multi-layered
glazing, raku firing,
integrated with red wood.
“Heart Flame”: hand-
built; multi-layered
glazing, raku firing. The
ceramic vessel is
integrated with red wood.
built; multi-layered
glazing, raku firing. The
ceramic vessel is
integrated with red wood.
"See World Urn”: thrown on the
wheel and altered, multi-layered
glazing, raku firing
wheel and altered, multi-layered
glazing, raku firing
“Sea World Anemone”;
hand- built from paper clay, multi-
layered glazing; multi-media with
embedded wire, raku firing
hand- built from paper clay, multi-
layered glazing; multi-media with
embedded wire, raku firing
Dr. Zeus Aquarium
Series: “Octopus
Marcus”; hand-built , multi-
layered glazing, raku firing
Series: “Octopus
Marcus”; hand-built , multi-
layered glazing, raku firing
Elena and her teacher
and friend LisaPaytes
creating magic..
and friend LisaPaytes
creating magic..
Ceramic Gallery
