Living in an area where there are a whole lot of extremely talented artists who work in so many mediums is really a great thing - especially when you have an opportunity to work and collaborate with them.
Rick Beck is a glass artists who's focus is primarily on using glass as a material for casting and sculpting. His large-scale cast glass sculpture are mainly about depicting industrial, everyday objects and the human figure.
Read MoreSoda firing is the third major type of atmospheric firing. Soda firing is a fairly recent way of changing work in the kiln via the atmosphere. It was developed in the 1970’s because it was thought to be a safer way of adding sodium to a kiln then the more historic method of throwing salt into it. For both soda ash (Na2CO3) AND salt (NaCl) the sodium molecule breaks away due to the heat in the kiln to coat everything – kiln shelves, ceramic work, bricks, et. - with a layer of soda glass.
(Photo - Mark Knott)
Other than wood firing which can create a natural ash glaze, another type of atmospheric firing is when ceramicists add salt to the kiln while firing it. Regular ol’ salt, which is sodium chloride, is introduced into a kiln when it’s very hot (around 2250 degrees). (Photo - Kate Johnston)
Read MoreA lot of times when I’m at the gallery people ask about how different pieces are made, why are certain colors normal for certain firings, what techniques did the artists use, etc.. All this information was new to me as well a few years ago. Fortunately, I’ve developed a wide range of friends with incredible knowledge, background, and experiences in regards to ceramics who have taught me an enormous amount. So, I’ll pass on what I can and find out what I don’t know. (Photo Ken Sedberry)
Read More
