Smoke Fired Form

Purpose: Experience an ancient method of creating surface decoration for bisqued clay.

Reflection:

I started out with a large chunk of clay. From this clay I began to round it out and press my thumb into the center of it making a hollow interior. This was a similar technique to when we made the pinch pots at the start of the year however we did not hollow the inside out as much as we did with the pinch pots. Next, we dropped into the open area a few clay balls wrapped in paper to make some noise when it was out of the kiln. The paper was so that the clay wouldn't stick to the form. We then closed up the opening at the top and began smoothing out the form. We first used our hands for smoothing but then transitioned to spoons and then plastic bags later on do get a very smooth texture. When the forms came out of the kiln we wrapped string around them and glued on leaves and other things that we found outside. When they were ready we transferred them into an outdoor fire, turning them frequently in order to get the smoke on all sides. The smoke is what gives it its brownish color. Finally, we washed off the leaf pieces so the forms were clean and polished it with wax to get one last shine.

I really enjoyed working with this process and could definitely see myself doing it again. I think that the outlines of my leaves went very well because they are very pronounced and contrast very well with the smoky color of the outside. Something that could have gone better is that I wish that I had either tied the string tighter or used thicker string so that my string outlines could have been more pronounced.