the artist:
Wanda Garrity
I spent 29 years in the Air Force, retired in March 2004, started Fireblaze Pottery later that year, and now make pottery full time.
I participate in several art events each year and show my work in a local gallery, all of which are listed on the Events page.
A piece of my work is featured in the Lark publication "500 Raku". I have completed two hotel commissions, one in the Okura Hotel in Macau and the other in the Sanya Sunny Bay Hotel in Hainan.
My life has been stimulated by the variety of beautiful things I've experienced in my travels. I am very mechanically-oriented and carry that to my pottery. My goal is to ensure each piece has a smooth flow from start to finish - to create beautiful pieces of art - both functional and decorative - in a variety of firing techniques.
more about these products…
Saggar fired vessels
Saggar
Saggar pottery is handmade from clay and coated with several layers of Terra-Sigillata, a slip containing very fine particles of clay. After application, the Terra-Sigillata is buffed with a soft cloth and bisque fired. The vessels are coated with chemicals, wrapped in aluminum foil with leaves, feathers, horse hair or other combustible materials and fired in a Raku kiln to about 1450 ° F. After this firing, the vessels are cleaned, sealed and lightly waxed.
Carbon
Carbon pottery is handmade from clay, coated with Terra-Sigillata, buffed, and bisque fired. Then the pieces are fired in a Raku kiln and removed at 1150° F. Individual pieces of horse hair or Emu feathers are placed on the vessel to create carbon lines. Some vessels are sprinkled with sugar, creating small dots of carbon. The vessels are cleaned, sealed, and lightly waxed.
Raku
The Japanese symbol for Raku means "enjoyment - the conscious return to ...direct and primitive treatment ..." Raku originated in the period 1573-1615 for the purpose of making a single tea bowl for the tea ceremony. Today’s Raku process requires an intimate understanding of the materials, transforming the pottery into dramatic forms of Art. Raku pottery is fired to approximately 1850° F and removed hot from the kiln. The vessel is quickly placed in a container with combustible materials and covered. The materials burn, changing the color and chemistry of the vessel and its glaze.