Out of the Flames & Ashes

My heart belongs to wood-firing.

Video credit to Heather Hitt

Like many potters out there, I've developed a deep affection for atmospheric firing.  I especially love to gather with friends around the wood-kiln, but I've explored soda-firing a few times as well.  Although producing similar results, both have distinct differences. Unfortunately, wood-firings are few and far between, so I have some plans to get a soda-kiln going soon, which will give me the atmospheric results I love so much, more frequently.  Stay tuned for the results of that endeavor!  (I also hope to have a little wood-kiln of my own some day.)

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My passion for wood-firing has brought great adventures into my life!

Check out my blog post about the WCA wood-firing workshop with Tara Wilson in Ellensburg (Eastern Washington).

Check out my blog post about traveling (and shipping pots) to Illinois to woodfire at Mill Creek Pottery with Simon Levin!

Soaked through and ankle-deep in mud, Isaac Howard and I persevere with wood-prep to get closer to our next firing. It's the camaraderie, as well as the results that keep us coming back for more. Picture credit: Heather Hitt

Wood-Fired

Soda-Fired

Wood-firing Action Galleries:

It takes a team of people all day to load the kiln, taking into careful consideration how each pot is stacked on or near another.
Then the kiln is fired for 50 hours under constant supervision, all the while wood is chopped and the fire stoked. 
It's an intense, but worthwhile process!
I've a great deal of affection for my wood-firing family: Drew Nicklas, Isaac Howard, Heather Hitt, Pam Emerson, Larry Naylor, Chuck Rheinschmidt, Len Hudson, Jeremy Noet & Keeley Chiasson...until we stoke again!

January 2013

November 2013

May 2013

March 2014

March 2015

November 2016

Stoke On!