Sun's Kiss

Turning Up the Heat

It's Spring time in Taiwan at the moment.  It just hit April 1st and the weather is starting to find its feet.  However, it's not as hot as the mountain wood fired kiln in Maoli, Taiwan.  Maoli is an area of beautiful mountains and humble people.  The kiln in Maoli is a favorite of many and always produces good results.  This particulr kiln rises its heat to 1,600 degrees celsius.  The high temperature throughly cooks anything in its path.  Below are some of my pots that came out of this kiln.

It was a mixture of cinnamon on yogurt and flahes of pink, sometimes orange.  The locals call this Sun's Kiss.

I have been adding a finger swirl at the base of my pots.  A lot of people do this - I like it so I copy them!

My second tea bowl that has a splash more orange.

I have been experimenting on carving a foot to create a more natural look.  I'm not sure if it works or not.

Fill me up!

The clay I used was China White #26. I do like the Japanese style of pottery and I try and make some things that are in that ball park - some may say not even the same sport Mister.

A small bowl/vase that is 9 cm in height.

Whitey on the other side.

Parts of these pots almost look like a traditional shino glaze.  No glaze was added to any of these pieces.

A closer look at the inside.

I trimmed the foot of this one.

Another tea bowl - again trying to go for that old wabi sabi look.

I think this one was my favorite.

The humble bowl - 14 cm in diameter.

I left some tool marks to say I woz ere.

This little guy is only 7 cm in height.

Flip flop.

And to finish with...some brown clay used in the same kiln.  A competely different look. 

I thought the melted wood ash looked interesting on this tea bowl - 7 cm in height.

I did have some other pieces but a few cracked and others were warped by the extreme heat.  I think the next time I use this kiln I will make everything a little thicker so they stand up, fight back and not buckle.

Take care out there!