Firing Methods

• Electric kiln or Gas fired:I fire mainly with an electric kiln to cone 6 or gas to cone 10 in reduction. This vitrifies the pots, making them durable for use. The temperature also allows me to achieve greater depth in color and to experiment with more elements, such as ash, in glazing.

• Wood fired: I was fortunate to be a part of building and firing a large Japanese-style Noborigama kiln in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and I guest fire in wood and soda/salt kilns in the area. Pottery that comes out of these atmospheric kilns is painted by the elements of earth, air, fire, and water. The wood as fuel—often a cord per day, up to seven days to fire—leaves deposits of ash on the pieces and travels up the kiln with the draft. The pots become like stones in a river of fire, achieving their characteristic marks and flashes based on how the fire flows in and around the other pieces. Salt or soda added into the kiln at temperature volatizes into a gas and re-crystallizes on the pots, creating a unique look with orange peel effects and added color.