Let's Seize the Clay

Hello Friends! 

I thought todays blog should be about clay and some of the terminology I learned.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, I was somewhat clueless during my orientation. There was a multitude of general art terminology that I did not know. I was embarrassed that I didn't know some very basic information about the product I was selling. I wrote down words and looked them up later or asked Cyndi. She is always helpful when I have questions making it much easier for me to ask them. Nevertheless, I asked, I listened and I learned. 

I would like to reiterate that I'm not an art expert, I am, however, a gallery manager passionate about her job. The definitions below are almost verbatim how I explained processes to a customer in the store. Let's dig in!

• Wheel Thrown - created on a potters wheel. 

• Hand Built - a potters wheel was NOT used, typically made from slabs of clay.
• We have two artists at C2C Gallery that only hand build and do not use a potters wheel. Cory McCrory and Marion Angelica. 

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  Hand Built Flask by Cory

  
  

  

  Hand Built Folded Mug by Marion

  
  
• Kiln - kind of like an oven, but for clay, can reach up to 2400 degrees.
• The most common kilns are electric, gas and wood.

• Bisque Firing - commonly the first time pottery goes in the kiln to make sure the clay is completely dry before applying glaze.
• Side Note: Glaze is a topic that I struggle with. I know there is a lot of chemistry involved and pots going in don't look like the pots coming out. 

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  Before Firing - After Firing 

  
  

• Raku - raku is a firing process in which the pottery is removed from the kiln when its fire red and placed in another container full of newspaper or sawdust (something combustible) and covered to finish the firing process. Raku pots are not safe to eat from and generally do not hold water.
• We have two artists that create beautiful raku pieces. Jeff Blandford and Tonya Rund. 

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  Raku Bird by Tonya 

  
  

  

  Raku Pots by Jeff

  
  
• Wood Fired - wood fired is another firing process, typically done in an Anagama Kiln, which is fueled with wood and may take 5 days to complete. Another interesting tidbit about wood firing is that generally a glaze is not applied to the exterior. The finished color and texture is based on where it was in the kiln and if it had been exposed to wind, fire, ash, etc. The exterior of wood fired pots cannot be replicated.
• We have one artist that creates Wood Fired pieces. Julie Devers.

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  Wood Fired Mug by Julie

  
  
• Crystalline - a special glaze that produces crystals from a chemical reaction between zinc and titanium. Crystals form during the cooling process in the kiln. (In my opinion, pots with a crystalline glaze look like glass.) 
• We have one artist that creates crystalline pots. Brooks Bouwkamp.  

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  Crystalline Vase by Brooks

  
  

This covers the very basic vocabulary surrounding clay. I thoroughly enjoy having conversations about our artists and their art. Being surrounded by, and being able to talk about art every day is good for the soul. I'm still surrounded by art but find myself missing the daily interactions with customers. My hope is that this blog will give me the sense of being in the gallery talking with all of you! 

Have an amazing week! 

Artfully Yours, 

Sarah

C2C Gallery Manager