Incense Bottle No. 2

Another barrel fired incense bottle. This one was burnished with crisco cooking oil and a metal spoon. Originally this bottle was about 18 inches tall. The neck was very thin and tall but I broke the rim when I was burnishing it. I decided not to to throw it out, cut the neck down and fired it anyway. When someone asked me if I had another incense bottle I said "yes I do. What do you think about this one?" Alas, the incense bottle is gone.

Thank goodness the weather is getting better. This week the temperatures could reach 20 degrees, and the sun was out yesterday. Hoping to get into the studio this weekend and do some work.

I've been posting some slide shows on the blog that I write for work, Coulee Region Art. Last Friday I started a weekly post called "Spotlight." It has become a big hit, literally, receiving lots of hits. Anyway, each Friday I am spolighting local area artists, briefly introducing them with a mini bio and then posting a photo of their work into a permanent slide show. I have also created permanent links to the artists individual web sites. There seems to be lots of interest as I am receiving referals and requests on a daily basis via email. The whole thing is actually very exciting as I am getting to meet several artists and getting to look at a lot of art. Anyway, check out "Spotlight."

Raku Tea Bowl

Nothing fancy about this teabowl. Thrown on the wheel, faceted, and hand-carved foot, but it sure feels good in the hands. I think the simplicity and plainess of this bowl makes it extra special. The glaze is Soldner's Clear Crackle-- 80% Gerstley Borate and 20% Nepheline Syenite. This one is also going to my mother.

I'm finally starting to get responses from local area artists in regards to my other blog site "Coulee Region Art." Each week I would like to highlight about ten local artists and create a permanent link to their web site. In addition to that I have created a slide show in which each artist is represented. The slide show links have been a huge success and have generated a lot of page views. The slide show of the anagama firing genereated almost 1,000 page views in just 4 days.

Not much else going on. I haven't made anything lately and have only been to the studio a couple times in the past two weeks. The MidWest has been hammered with lots of snow and seriously cold weather, minus 20 degrees the past two days. Warmer temps are on the way so hopefully I'll be able to get some work done in the studio.

3110 Turqoise Raku Glaze

This is one of my favorite raku glazes and it can produce a lot of different effects, most of which you can see in this tea bowl. The turquoise is a nice crackle glaze. Before glazing I splashed some hot wax on the tea bowl, as seen in the very front. The glaze did not stick to the wax and after the firing, in the post firing reduction phase, this area turned black. If you click on this photo the enlarged area will show the beautiful oxblood red around the edges between the black and turquoise. The heavy reduction in the kiln during firing also produced a rough bronze on the interior of the bowl.

I don't think I have posted a photo of this tea bowl but thought I'd better since this is being shipped out west to my best patron--my mother. The glaze I have posted before but here it is again.

3110 Turquoise Raku Glaze

Frit 3110 100

Tin Oxide 3

Copper Carbonate 3

Bentonite 3

Also, don't forget to check out my other blog "Coulee Region Art."