John Linder
I started Raku firing my work because I was frustrated by the predictable results that I was getting from my electric kiln. At the time, I did not have access to a gas kiln. Raku firing provided me with the chance to work directly with the flames and the atmosphere inside of my kiln. With so many variables involved in the actual firing of raku pots, I am often surprised when things turn out the way I plan them to. The type of clay used, thickness of the walls, application of the glaze, temperature of the kiln, amount of time in the reduction bin, type of combustibles used, and environmental factors all come in to play in raku firing.
More recently I have been making pots for soda firing. In many ways the atmospheric effects created in the soda kiln are as exciting to me as those of raku. I have been experimenting with many different clay bodies and glazes. Although I feel like I have some control as I spray the soda ash solution into the kiln, I am more than happy to discover some chance effect created by the heat of the flame and chemistry of the glaze.