Rainbow Bridge Pottery
One of my earliest childhood memories is of making mud pies. I remember being drawn to the cool, sticky earth and playing for hours in it, never noticing the mess I was making. I didn't know then that I would someday get paid for playing in the mud and for teaching others.
I have been making pots for over thirty years and firing them using the Japanese firing technique of Raku, which means "contentment and happiness". I have found Raku to be an art form that embodies the spiritual harmony between artist and nature. Beginning with the most basic elements of earth and fire, transformed through gentle human touch and infused with the artist's spirit to create a unique work of Art.
I have been making pots for over thirty years and firing them using the Japanese firing technique of Raku, which means "contentment and happiness". I have found Raku to be an art form that embodies the spiritual harmony between artist and nature. Beginning with the most basic elements of earth and fire, transformed through gentle human touch and infused with the artist's spirit to create a unique work of Art.
- Denise Rich Corcoran denise@rainbowbridgepottery.com
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RAINBOW Bridge Pottery, Manteo, North Carolina
Raku, which means "contentment and happiness", is an ancient Japanese firing technique for pottery. It was originally used by the Japanese tea masters for their ritual ceremonies. Unlike conventional pottery that takes several days to fire, Raku pieces can be glaze fired in less than an hour. This technique allows the potter to take a more active role in the firing process.The bisque pieces are glazed with metallic oxides and placed in a kiln and fired to approximately 1600 F. When the glaze becomes shiny and glasslike, the red-hot pieces are removed quickly form the kiln with tongs and placed in a pit or barrel filled with combustible material. The red-hot pottery ignites the materials and is allowed to "reduce" or smoke. This reduction process produces two desired effects.First, the smoke penetrates the cracks in the glaze exposing the black clay body. Second, the burning consumes the oxygen in the glazes leaving only the metal ingredients. This creates the metallic look of many Raku pieces. Variations in reduction materials, methods of glaze application, even outside temperature changes will yield differing results with the same glaze.
Every pot is unique.
Every pot is unique.
The clay body used in Raku ware is formulated to withstand extreme temperature changes and therefore remains porous. Raku pottery cannot be used for food or drink.