Clay
All of my clay work is hand built using slabs of Lymen Red, a low fire earthenware clay body from Highwater Clays.
I bisque fire to cone 06 (1830ºF) using an L&L e23s Electric Kiln with a Vent-Sure downdraft vent system. For my first firing, I program the kiln to "Slow Bisque" with a 2 hour preheat.
I often use an iron-oxide wash (50/50 iron-oxide and Frit 3195) to accentuate the carved "veins" in my work.
Glazes
Once the clay has been bisque fired, the work is ready for glaze application. I have a coding system I use for this part of the process. After deciding which glazes to use, corresponding codes are written in pencil onto the bisque ware. Each glaze will then be brushed on by hand.
[photo by Michael Mauney]
I glaze fire to cone 04 (1940ºF) using the same electric kiln set to "Slow Glaze"
Texture is an important part of my work. I have found with the crawling glazes, the thicker applications create a thicker bead or texture.
My ceramic glazes are mixed by hand using various raw materials, chemical, oxides and stains.
Click here for a few of my favorite Cone 04 glaze recipes
Glass
I use the same kiln for glass and clay. Using a downdraft vent helps heat and cool more evenly. I also stack and fire more that one layer/level of glass at a time.
Click here to download a list of my glass firing schedules.
The colored glass I fuse and slump with is 90COE Bullseye glass.
Click here for more information on creating fused glass pendants.
However, I often use recycled float/window glass as seen in my Frozen Evergreen Box Series.
Steel
Yes, I do the steelwork too! Using a Hobart Plasma Cutter, I am able to cut through sheet steel up to 1/8" thick. This cutting process is what gives the metal that irregular "crinkled-looking" edge I love.
Additional Information
I am more than happy to share information! Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about my work, the materials, or the process involved.
Thank you and enjoy!
