Painting With Fire Bon Fire Techiniques Your choice of , bisque temperature, decorating techniques, choice of pit, combustibles, stack, flux, oxides influence the results of the firing. Pit Fire Basics

• CLAY BODY , or – The good, the bad, the ugly – Aesthetic choice or technical – Light or dark – Smooth or rough – Temper, grog, sand, volcanic ash. – Slips, • BISQUE The lower the temperature the more the clay body absorbs the carbon and oxides and the higher the risk of cracking and weakness. C018-011 Pit Fire Basics, cont.

• SHAPES: Strongest are closed forms which is ideal for showing off the fire marks. Any shape can be attempted but hard edge slabs are more more likely to crack. • DECORATING TECHNIQUES: Stains and applied before burnishing can enhance the surface. Elaborate designs are not recommended.* Burnish is the most popular aesthetic choice. Pit Fire Basics, cont.

• Atmosphere: Oxidation vs reduction, carbonizing, fireclouds vs flashing • Pit Design: open or closed, big or small • Combustibles: The stuff that burns. –For heat –For color –Start searching for pallet wood, hardwood, sawdust, bay, eucalyptus, fruit peels… • Fluxes: The stuff that aides flashing. – (sodium bicarbonate, sea weed, fertilizer, salt…) • Oxides: The stuff that gives color. (copper, iron) Combustibles/ Pit Fire Basics, cont.

• STACK – How the pots are stacked makes a difference. Foot up or down. How much sawdust. Should I use a saggar. What materials can be used to resist (sand, metal, clay)

• BURNISHING - when (leatherhard, bonedry)?, • With what tool (spoon, rock, bone, plastic)? • Sanding material – drywall, green scrubbie, metal sandpaper. Health issues. Joe Battiato Joe Battiato

Michelle Collier Solid or hollow? Judy Hummel

Magdelena Odundo

Swanica Ligtenberg Munemi Yorigami Mat Hougland Mankind has been pit firing for a long time.

Black Mata Ortiz

Ritualized vessel Kat Morrell http://katmorrell.com/Pit_Firing_Process.html Sawdust firing Briar Patch Open greenfiring Native American Pottery

• • Nampeyo • Native American Pottery Blackened Pottery

• Korean, non smoked Mata Ortiz

• Making pot Webster Groves Gives Flair to Pottery http://www.flickr.com/photos/mudslin ger1/sets/72157604049010991/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =sV7Q_QmiJpk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =b2whhFMaH_g&feature=related