Raku You

Raku is my favorite type of ceramics work. The typical raku pottery you see often isn't to my taste -- it gets kitchy. But the rustic, unpredictable surfaces that can be achieved using the raku firing technique are truly unique and wonderful. The image at right is a Raku tile/plaque I made several years ago. Wikipedia defines the term thusly:

Raku is a form of Japanese pottery characterized by low firing temperatures (resulting in a fairly porous body), lead glazes, and the removal of pieces from the kiln while still glowing hot. In the traditional Japanese firing process, the pot is removed from the hot kiln and put directly into water or allowed to cool in the open air. Raku is considered the traditional method for creating bowls for the Japanese tea ceremony. Raku tea bowls are hand-made from earthenware, each with a unique shape and style. Raku techniques have been adopted and modified by contemporary potters worldwide.

I signed up for the class thinking I'd make some fun new jewelry. And perhaps I will. But tonight the inspiration simply isn't there. In fact, I pretty much don't feel like going at all. But I missed class last week due to my vacation, so I can't, in good conscience, skip it a second week. The idea of making more "stuff" with which to clutter my apartment makes me shudder ... but I'm an artist, and that's what artists do, isn't it??

So off I go to class, mildly against my will, to see what might get created by these hands that just climbed a mountain.