Raku Gallery

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Raku is a form of firing pottery. Work is made with the firing method in mind. Pieces are bisqued and glazed with various raku glazes and fired to 1750 degrees F. When this temperature is reached and the glazes are shiny the door of the kiln is removed and the pieces are taken out one at a time to be smoked or flamed depending on the desired effect. I do both types. Because of the nature of the after fire, the glazes have a wide range of colors with little predictability. Many things effect this. Position in the kiln, in what order it was removed (this would be because of the temperature of the piece upon removal,) the temperature of the air, the wind, the humidity, and how effective the after fire is. I can match the size and shape, and have some control over the color, but much is the gift of the after fire and how I address it. The shiny glazed vessels are put in a smoking chamber and buried in sawdust, then the chamber is closed to produce the smoke. The matt glazed vessels are put in a chamber with a small amount of sawdust and a large fire is built around it. I do many with both methods in combination which is much more challenging. If you look at the pieces in the Raku Gallery with the shiny coppery or silverish rims and a myriad of colors below the rim, you will see what I mean. These pieces give you an approximate idea of how raku firing is achieved. The raku artwork you see on these pages are one of a kind. You would get the one pictured should you choose to purchase it.

Amber Crystal Treasured Jar

When I travel I enjoy seeing the geodes, gems, and petrified wood that various rock stores carry. I started a collection quite a number of years ago. Now I find I want to share them by using them in my raku. On this jar I had made an abstract pair of cupped leaves joined at top point. It seemed a natural hollow to put a raw gem. The luscious colors that developed in the firing just screamed amber. I found this chunk of stone citrine fit beautifully in that hollow. I chose amber colored lamp worked glass beads to further decorate the jar. This is my first and at the moment the only raw gem in my various artworks. The stones around the jar are included in the price.

Size: about 3.5″ ht x 5″ dia

Color: As shown

One of a kind

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More images are available. Contact me at jipottery@comcast.net

Buffalo Spirit Jar

I made two spirit vessel versions of this important animal. Buffalo are our iconic American beasts of the Great Plains and the vast West. Here, I have used found feathers attached to his back and on two sides of his covered jar. I have strung my hand made lamp worked glass beads ending with tiny ceramic owls. The figure is iridescent on both sides. The colors are exciting on this magnificent container. Just as the buffalo itself is magnificent. Left click, choose “Open link in new picture” to see a large view. More photos are available if you contact me via my e-mail at jipottery@comcast.net.

Size: 9″ ht x 7″ dia.

Colors: As shown

One of a Kind

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You can view my other buffalo spirit vessel under Large Spirit Vessels. This as all my raku artwork is a one of a kind. Each is treated differently as to figures, glazes, added pieces, jewelry. Each is shaped individually. You can see more photos by e-mailing my at jipottery@comcast.net. Should you wish to own this vessel, the one in the picture is the one you would receive.

Earth’s Spirit Dawns

The raku process leaves its mark on the clay as no other firing method does. When the piece comes out of the kiln at about 1750 degrees F, it is put into sawdust, which immediately ignites. This after burn leaves its mark reminding me of the celestial fires that produced our plant and all of the heaven’s wonders. Here is a vessel that bares the marks of such an after burn. I added a handle to its lid reminiscent of a living creature, applied shiny glaze to it and the side patterns, then to complete the ancient look I added feathers similar to what our early ancestors would have used.

Size: 8″ ht x 8″ dia.

Colors: As shown

One of a Kind

More Details

This covered vessel is one of a kind, so you will get this piece shown if you choose to purchase it. You can request additional photos through my e-mail. jipottery@comcast.net

King of the Skies

This jar was created to show off our beautiful American eagle. I have him in the midst of a strike, surrounded by (found) feathers of his catch. I have accented the flowing glazes on the body of this vessel with handmade ceramic beads strung on braided horse hair along with red and gray parrot feathers completing the look of this formidable hunter.

This covered jar is one of a kind. The purchase of this piece will be the one you see in the picture. Click on the picture to see a large view. Interested in purchasing this stunning vessel, e-mail me at jipottery@comcast.net to see the other side of the piece.

Size: 13″ ht x 8.5″ dia.

Colors: As shown

One of a Kind

Making Waves Spirit Jar

What a fun ocean creature is the dolphin! Playful, jumping, splashing, chattering, truly making waves. Here is my figure representing our fabulous friend. I used my matte glaze on most of this jar, which once fired, turned into waves of colors in motion around this whole piece. When I added adornment, I chose my own lamp worked glass beads, which themselves have swirling colors. These “jewels,” picked up this same waves theme giving this spirit jar a further motion.

Size: 5.5″ ht x 6.5″ dia.

Colors: As shown

One of a Kind

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This Dolphin Spirit Jar is the only one like this. The only one. This dolphin could add a individual look to an area in your home or be a special gift. E-mail me for more views. jipottery@comcast.net

Night Wonder Spirit Jar

Owls rule the nights. Here I have captured this wonderful bird in the figurine as a handle for the lid. I textured areas as feathers down from the sculpture on the lid and from the rim of the base, accented them with beautiful glazes, then they were blessed by the fire, producing lots of iridescence, blues, maroon purples, coppers. I added found feathers with ceramic and glass beads attached with leather strips.

Size: 5.5″ ht x 6.5″ dia.

Colors: As shown

One of a Kind

More Details

I am creating these smaller spirit jars for those of you who have a small space but would like a special piece. I have additional photos if you would like to see more. Just e-mail at jipottery@comcast.net and I will send you different views.

Regal Spirit Jar

I began my adventure of adding found feathers on a piece similar to this one, though I expanded this new vessel with spiral appendages, placing the beautiful rooster tail feathers rising out of its center. Then I added white ceramic beads, glass beads and more feathers on each “side.” This jar, as with all my sculptural pieces, being three dimensional, has no front or back, but can be turned to give you different views. Click on the picture to see a large view. Interested in purchasing this stunning vessel, e-mail me at jipottery@comcast.net to see the other views of the piece.

Size: 13″ ht x 8″ diameter

Colors: As shown

One of a Kind

The Plains Were His

A hundred fifty years ago our western plains were black with buffalo. They owned the range. Today they are recouping from the slaughter. This is my representation of the spirit of the mighty buffalo. Coppers accent his body and are repeated in the main vessel itself, while blues surround the copper. Simple found feathers adorn the added clay pieces on three separate areas. Other colors, just as interesting, encircle the round body of the jar. This powerful covered container is one of a kind. you will received the one in the photo if you decide this is the piece for your gift or for you. Click on the picture to see a large view. Interested in purchasing this stunning vessel, e-mail me at jipottery@comcast.net to see the other side of the piece.

Size: 13″ ht x 8″ dia.

Colors: As shown

One of a Kind

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