Ceramic Process
| (c) 2007 KATE CHRISTOPHER | KATE@KATECHRISTOPHER.COM | 651.653.1553 |
CERAMICS
The majority of the figures are hand built out of raku clay. The surface is
buffed and covered with a terrasigilata clay slip when they are still green
(unfired). They are then bisque fired in an electric kiln to stabilize the form
and vitrify the clay. The final firing is in an outdoor gas kiln packed with
sawdust and other junk that leaves the markings on the clay as it burns or
slat fired in large indoor kilns.
LOW FIRE SALT FUMING
I have a loose brick kiln in my backyard that uses propane burners to fire.
It is an experimental technique. It does create an aged look to the figures
- as if they have been found somewhere and uncovered after many
years. I think it gives the figures some depth of emotion that I am looking
for in their faces. The kiln stays at a fairly low temperature. I add
combustibles like saw dust and coffee grounds to the kiln after the figures
have been loaded. The colors on the surface of the figures are caused
by different elements in the kiln as they burn. This process has many
names but I call it low fire salt fuming.
The majority of the figures are hand built out of raku clay. The surface is
buffed and covered with a terrasigilata clay slip when they are still green
(unfired). They are then bisque fired in an electric kiln to stabilize the form
and vitrify the clay. The final firing is in an outdoor gas kiln packed with
sawdust and other junk that leaves the markings on the clay as it burns or
slat fired in large indoor kilns.
LOW FIRE SALT FUMING
I have a loose brick kiln in my backyard that uses propane burners to fire.
It is an experimental technique. It does create an aged look to the figures
- as if they have been found somewhere and uncovered after many
years. I think it gives the figures some depth of emotion that I am looking
for in their faces. The kiln stays at a fairly low temperature. I add
combustibles like saw dust and coffee grounds to the kiln after the figures
have been loaded. The colors on the surface of the figures are caused
by different elements in the kiln as they burn. This process has many
names but I call it low fire salt fuming.
The sheen on the pieces is caused by a combination of a buffing process on the leather hard clay and the
salt that is added during the firing process. I work harder on the buffing process on some pieces and not
others.
salt that is added during the firing process. I work harder on the buffing process on some pieces and not
others.
SODA FIRING
Some of my recent work is fired in a soda kiln. The firing
process has greater control and it has allowed me to add
more color to the figures. I can only do this type of firing
where there are facilities for soda firing. I have done several
firing at Northern Clay Center and have enjoyed the
camaraderie that group firings create.
I continue to work primarily with clay because the firing
process intrigues me. It is a bit like raising children. You
guide them and mold them as best you can but then you
send them off into the world and things happen that are
beyond your control and those are the things that come
back and surprised you. It is collaboration between me and
the fire. It is like life - controlled chaos. You never know quite
how everything will turn out but usually interesting things
happen and sometimes something incredible happens and
that keeps me coming back to the work again and again.
Some of my recent work is fired in a soda kiln. The firing
process has greater control and it has allowed me to add
more color to the figures. I can only do this type of firing
where there are facilities for soda firing. I have done several
firing at Northern Clay Center and have enjoyed the
camaraderie that group firings create.
I continue to work primarily with clay because the firing
process intrigues me. It is a bit like raising children. You
guide them and mold them as best you can but then you
send them off into the world and things happen that are
beyond your control and those are the things that come
back and surprised you. It is collaboration between me and
the fire. It is like life - controlled chaos. You never know quite
how everything will turn out but usually interesting things
happen and sometimes something incredible happens and
that keeps me coming back to the work again and again.
