Spirit Keeper Urns: November 2010

about the work

There is no glaze on these pieces. They are wheel thrown using smooth white clay. Once dry, terra sigillata, a suspension of the very finest particles of clay, is applied to the surface. The application is repeated, polishing between coats, until the piece is polished to the worn smoothness of a river stone. Each piece is fired in an outdoor gas kiln nested with sawdust and mineral soaked straw in saggars (clay containers) made to fit them. All the colors come from the fire, the black from carbon. The volatilized materials leave their marks in the surface of the clay.

Setting the circumstances for serendipity and painting with the power of fire in this way yields results that echo the random beauty of nature. What comes out of the kiln, although a direct result of what goes in, is always a mystery.

The clay must remain porous in order to absorb the effects of the fire and so they have the softness of ancient and primitive pottery. While they are not intended to hold water wetting will not damage them. They have been polished with a fine protective wax and may be cleaned with a damp cloth.

For more about the artist visit www.motzkin.com
More about the urns: www.spiritkeeperurns.com

Spirit Keeper Urns

Friday, November 12, 2010

Small Pet and Keepsake Urns

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