April 30, 2010

Fire and clay




Fire is so beautiful.

Oh, how I wish I could crawl in the kiln during the firing and watch the show! When you pull out a spy brick to peek inside, the long wood flame literally looks like a river, flowing through the pots, fighting to find it's way out the chimney!

The oval dish in the picture above had some interesting dark colors along the rim from the firing, ooohhh I'm excited to see that one!

7 comments:

Hollis Engley said...

Exactly right, Joy. I always loved the "river of fire" metaphor for woodfiring. And at its height it flows with hurricane force, but is so insubstantial that it never knocks over a pot. Amazing. Hope things go well with the opening.

Mr. Young's Art said...

I too love to watch the flame! I'm sure your opening will be fantastic!

Craig Edwards said...

Hard to imagine that not so long ago.. these pots in the flames were just lumps of mud. Yes, the river of fire!! Many kilns, one fire. May you have, Good fires, good pots

Linda Starr said...

great photo, looking forward to the opening, hope the kiln gods shine for you.

Michael Kline said...

Great pictures. I'll try to take some in my upcoming (Sunday) firing. Thanks for helping me to visualize fire.

Alex Solla said...

Great images and great words! I sure miss that feeling that seems to only come from hearing the roar and thrum of a wood kiln. Sure do miss it. I hope you have a fantastic firing.

Joy Tanner said...

thanks everyone-- we're all in love with fire!

you're right alex, the sound, too is not quite like any other. when the kiln is really going, each stoke rumbles and crackles and roars! yet the flame gently sweeps through.....ahhhh