Experimenting and learning from the kilns is quite humbling, and the pursuit of learning more about each kiln is what drives me to continue to create new work.
The pottery wheel is my primary tool when making my ceramic work. The majority of my pieces begin on the wheel, then get pushed, pulled, or cut if they are altered pieces. The process of throwing clay is what initially drew me to the material. the satisfaction of moving the clay cant be matched by other materials in my opinion. That in addition to the process of firing atmospheric kilns makes the whole process quite enjoyable to me.
Throwing on the wheel my work is primarily functional. keeping in mind that I want my work to be utilized in the home in addition to adding some charm to the space in which it lives.
Firing wood kilns in college is what really captivated me and made me want to pursue ceramics more seriously. experimenting and learning from the kilns is quite humbling, and the pursuit of learning more about each kiln is what drives me to continue to create new work.
Pellagama halfway loaded, leaving space for the side stoak.
Having a partner when loading the kiln always speeds up the process!
Ellen Shankin’s Car Kiln
Loading this kiln was my first challenge as an apprentice potter. This is my final firing as an apprentice, firing in Ellen Shankins kiln.
Iowa Ceramics Center & Glass Studio’s Alpine Kiln. This is a mix of community studio work and handful of my own pieces.
Alpine kiln, fired to cone 10. This kiln fires nice and even if you give it the time to stay even and don’t rush it in the early stages of firing. this particular firing the bottom was slightly hotter than the bottom, which is a preferable problem in an updraft kiln in my opinion.
Final reduction to encourage the heat to move to the bottom shelves of the kiln, before over firing the top shelves.