Raku Ocean Hearts
Please contact Sande with any questions about her art, or to commission a piece of artwork.
The Art of Raku A specific firing process that uses both fire and smoke to create unique patterns and designs on the surface of clay pieces. The artist forms a piece that is first bisque fired at 1650 degrees Fahrenheit.
When cooled to room temperature, it is brushed with one or more copper- based or crackle glazes. Wearing protective gloves and headgear, the artist places the piece in a hot outdoor kiln heated between 1450-1800 degrees Fahrenheit. After a short time in the kiln, the glowing hot piece is carefully picked up with long tongs and placed in a can lined with shredded paper. Upon contact the paper erupts into flames and the lid is closed. When the fire dies out from the lack of oxygen, the piece is removed from the can and rapidly cooled in a water bath.
The drop in temperature facilitates the crackling of the glaze. Carbon from the smoke creates the black pattern characteristic of the crackle glaze and any unglazed surface will show irregular coloration due to random oxidation. The unpredictability of the finished art piece is what makes RAKU special.
