Why I do it

My interest in soda firing arose from participation in the pyromaniacs group formed from members of the Auckland Studio Potters interested in wood-firing. Back in 1998 we constructed a phoenix style wood kiln and used it regularly as a group for about 4 years. See HERE for more about this type of kiln.
These firings were great fun and we all learnt a lot about how to fire wood kilns and also how to make work that would be sympathetically treated by the soft action of the soda glaze.
I love the technique because of its subtlety and the way the pots develop a soft blush of colour. It offers a quiet beauty that reminds me of quiet areas in the anagama kiln. For me it works best when I use less soda, or give it strict boundaries through the use of slips or glazes.
I use the kiln to fire two types of work simultaneously, my domestic ware, often decorated with slips or wax resist and glaze, but also my current fascination with the albarello form. Choosing carefully the type of clay and placement allows me to mix loads for each firing and results in a far more interesting kiln unloading.

New work posted June 2009