I love the variation that occurs naturally across thesurface of salt, soda and wood fired pots. My ownpottery, however, has been reduction fired in gas kilnssince the early 70’s. I have been creating atmospheric surface qualities through careful blending and layering ofsprayed glazes for over 30 years, now!
In December 2008 I discovered that reduction plays arather insignificant role in the finished look of my pottery. The cascading rivulets of ash-like glazes and mysterious microcrystalline mat surfaces work just as effectively in oxidation as they do in reduction! Even the rich brown and orange colors that I have always attributed to reduction firing are possible in oxidation.
This workshop is designed to help you get the most out of YOUR glazes, applied to YOUR pots and fired in YOUR electric kiln. I will demonstrate the basic techniques of spraying and also spend time with more advanced
theories of layering and blending glazes. I will cover ^6 glazes and briefly discuss lowering the maturation point
of ^10 glazes to ^6. I will suggest ways to experiment with the layering process to create your own unique look.
On the first day I will throw, assemble, apply slip and discuss my philosophical approach towards making
functional pottery. On the second day I will demonstrate my personal techniques of spraying and layering glazes
and students will glaze their pottery. We will then load the kiln(s) and fire overnight to ^6. On the third day I will lead discussions on firing schedules and the equipment required to set up your own spraying studio. The workshop will end with unloading the kiln(s) and discussing the work.
I will bring fired examples of finished work to discuss with
students and they will be available for purchase.
A note from Steven...
I am an amateur guitarist and singer (highlight the word AMATEUR!). I invite everyone to bring an instrument if you play one (even if it’s just an empty box to use as a drum!) for after-hours jam sessions around the campfire.
Schedule for the week:
Friday, September 30, 2016 Day 1
- Steven will throw pots, assemble and quick dry them.
Saturday, October 1, 2016 Day 2
- Steven will lecture on spraying and demonstrate the techniques involved. Participants will glaze in the afternoon and we will load the kiln(s) and fire overnight.
Sunday, October 2, 2016 Day 3
- Further Discussions on spraying techniques, firing cycles and the equipment to set up a spraying studio. Ideas for glaze experimentation after the workshop. Unload kilns and discuss results
****Participants should bring 4 – 6 small to medium size cylindrical pieces (6-8” tall) ready to be glazed. You may also bring 1-2 small horizontal pots (bowls, plates or tiles), to see how the glazes react on non-vertical pieces. Steven's work will be raw glazed (bone dry) and single fired, but participants should bisque fire their work.****