Raku

Main >> Hobbies & Interests >> My First Home Page

Raku

~ Raku Pottery ~

Annmarie Van Lenten

How it all starts....

Now my real fun begins! (other than throwing the pots)

The is a typical kiln load or Raku bisque fired. Then next step is to wipe them all off with a damp sponge and begin applying glaze in sereral layers.

For more interesting effects I might mix several colors and designs onto some pots. Others I may leave on one color. I know more as I begin.

This will then be put into a Raku kiln fired to 1850 degrees, then removed from the kiln at that tempature and placed into a metal garbage can that already has pappers, leaves and other combustables like sawdust which ingnites as the pot touches it at such a high temp. it begins to burn instantly. As the flames grow in the can, we then add a little more paper or saw dust and put a tight lid on it then listen for a suction sound. The heat will cause the can to be sucked inward on the sides because all the oxygen is being removed during this part. Now its time to grab a cup of coffee, a wine cooler, cold beer, iced tea or the beverage of choice and talk with the people there with you.

* This is one firing that is so much more fun to do with serveral people!

After about 10 minutes open the can to check and see if your paper is burning right or see if you would like to add a little more, do so now. ( * Warning!!!!! Be very careful because there will be a large burst of flame at this point and a big flash of fire!) Get the flames going again cover tightly once more and sit, relax and talk for about 20 more minute's.

Last grab your tongs gloves and eyewear. Open and pull fast over very wet grass ****or you can also dunk the entire pot very fast in and out of cool water.

Sit it on the grass ans spray with a fine mist to clean off burnt debre, let cool.

Useing a small piece of scrubbing pad was off the rest of burnt on debree.

Now sit there and look at what you did. I'm sure its beautiful!

You just made your first Raku Pot

**** I find dipping the entire pot into cool water if you have a thick pot or added pieces they tend to pop off because of the thermol shock. I prefer to place on cool grass and mist with a light spray of the hose to cool down and bring out more color!

The Process......

This is my "Mud Bud" and very special friend Diane.

She invited me to her coffee farm in Kona Hawaii to do some Raku together. As you can see in the picture on the left, this is what a typical raku kiln looks like. It is brought up to the correct tempeture (cone) to melt the glaze. The top is lifted to remove the piece with long tongs, then each piece very fast is put into metal cans that have paper and sometime leaves in them.

The combustable material then catches fire and the lid is quickly place on top. This is where the magic on each pot takes place. The reduction process causes each piece to turn into something wonderful and beautiful.