Raku Technique

The ceramist uses mostly Raku firing technique. Raku is an ancient Japanese way of firing ceramics. Read more about Raku technique.
After the first, or 'biscuit' firing, the ceramic ware is glazed and placed in the raku kiln. The ceramic ware is observed as the glaze melts. At the exact moment that the glaze matures, the kiln is quickly opened and the hot piece is removed. What makes it so different is that ceramic ware are removed from the kiln, with special tools, (a pair of long tongs) while they are still red-hot +/- 1000 degrees Celsius. At this point the ceramics is placed into a container of combustible materials like piles of leaves, sawdust, straw and the container is covered.
The intense heat makes the sawdust want to burn but since the oxygen supply is cut off more or less, oxygen is extracted from the clay and the glaze. Unglazed clay turns black and glazes containing oxides behave quite unpredictable, sometimes giving spectacular color effects. Because of the rapid cooling the glaze cracks, revealing a pattern of deep black lines.
The Raku firing technique is probably the most exciting and spectacular of all ceramic techniques. However as a medium, raku is more decorative than utilitarian. See some of Adriena Kutakova's ceramic works. Click the Ceramic Works - Adriena Kutakova and if you like to buy one then click the ordering button.

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