July 3rd, 2025 - August 31st, 2025
Artist's statement:
"After seven years as a production potter, concentrating on salt fired functional ware, I got a night job at the Oregon State Hospital. I had made my final toothbrush holder! I spend the next ten years exploring sculpture, raku, and enjoying having a steady income and health insurance.
In 1999 I returned to Western Oregon University to finish my degee. Professor Don Hoskisson asked if I wanted to join in a wood firing at East Creek Anagama* Thus began what my wife refers to as my mad scientist period, studying the effects of wood, air, clay bodies, kiln design, climate and even artist personalities on finished work. It has been fascinating and rewarding.There are extreme variables in wood firing. These include the type of clay body and the species of wood used as fuel. Alder builds ash; oak produces a lovely yellow ash glaze and can be used to hold the kiln at temperature, whereas fir will help raise the temperature of the kiln. The longer the duration of firing, usually three to eight days and nights, the more ash is created and the effect of the flame moving through the kiln is increased. The ash builds on the surfaces. The shape of the kiln, the history of the individuals in the crew as well as the intent of the firing, also determine the outcome. Pieces placed in the front of the kiln will receive more ash than those in the back. Placement also affects the flow of the flame, creating eddies of fire that decorate pieces differently depending upon their neighboring pieces. Any twist of fate involving one of these factors plays a key role in the results. The pieces here are decorated by the alchemy of the wood fire."
*The anagama kiln (Japanese: 窖窯) is an ancient type of pottery kiln brought to Japan from China via Korea in the 5th century. An anagama (a Japanese term meaning "cave kiln") consists of a firing chamber with a firebox at one end and a flue at the other."
The East Creek Anagama was built in 1983 by Oregon artists Nils Lou, Tom Coleman, and Frank Boyden with the mission to bring ceramic education via wood firing to the west coast. (From the East Creek Art website , eastcreekart.org)