RAKU:
The art of playing with FIRE!
Here is something brand new to the TAF site: assorted animals glazed
using the ancient art of raku.
This is a procedure where essentially, anything goes! Pieces are glazed,
or in some cases, not presented here, underglazed, fired, then glazed. But
from here on things get HOT!!
After pre-warming the piece, with the use of long tongs the glazed item
is placed into an already HOT kiln… THAT’S RIGHT, it’s already “stoked,
fired” and ready to do its thing. The firing temperature is raised to
approximately 1800 degrees or so, is short and to the point: after a brief
“cook time,” the item is then retrieved with the above mentioned tongs, and
yes the glaze is MOLTEN at this point! If desired, the item is exposed to
air for a BRIEF period so color, if desired, can form. This is NOT the same
as the highly coveted, metallic/iridescent “flash.”
Then the item is placed in a reduction can, and what occurs inside is
what makes raku the wonder that it is.
Dodging the immediate flashback as combustibles inside the can burst into
flame, the lid is put tightly into place so the oxygen reduction process may
commence. After a length of time, the finished piece is removed (during
which leftover smoke and noxious fumes are now dodged by the artist) and
cleaned.
Please click on the images to see other,
larger views of each piece.
Feel free to contact the artist with any questions
or comments by
clicking here!
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TAF Raku
PEKE-U A very different little dog, with an unusual coat
ranging from smoked white to iron gray to shimmery copper to shades of
plum and blue, speckled here and there with autumn leaf brown dots.
We're not sure what games the Raku gods were playing when they came up with the blue foot...
but who are we to question? |
$65.00 |
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TAF Raku
Appaloosa What a beautiful piece! Nice smoking
on the hooves, interesting color and flow of glaze, subtle iridescent
flash... and pouty lips! 6.5 by 9 inches. |
$80.00 |
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TAF Raku
Bass Lurking just below the Lilly pads, this lunker
waits for just the right person to catch him! Reel in this
beautiful, unusual one of a kind piece for the artistic fisherman in
your life. 6 by 8 inches |
$65.00 |
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TAF Raku Dragon
King of the copper mines, this beauty is approximately 6" x 9" -- nice
iridescent colors and exceptional flash, good coppery tones. |
$125.00 |
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TAF
Raku Koi
Here is a coy little guy... or does that sound fishy? Sorry,
it's hard to come up with good lines, I only work for scale!
This guy is a keeper at 4.5" by 8"! |
65.00 fins |
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TAF Raku Laying Foal
A cutie! This little foal has genuine copper for spots and a
great color and flash. At 3.5 by 5.5 inches, this little foal will
fit almost anywhere. |
$80.00 |
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TAF Raku LIONS
ROAR!
These lions are approximately 3.5 inches front to back, and stand 5.5
inches tall -- nice craze to their manes and good flash (or iridescence) on these guys! You can buy either lion,
but why break up a family when you can buy both at a discount! |
$60.00 each
$110.00 for the pair
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TAF Raku Eagle Soaring high from the flames...
Is it the phoenix? NO! It's... RAKU EAGLE! The color on
this one of a kind work is incredible! From the exceptional
smoking on the rock base to the phenomenal metallic iridescence, this is
truly a work of art. The wingtips are even mirrored! |
NFS |
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TAF Raku Bear Bears are cool! This one was a
special gift from the artist that will always be treasured. |
NFS |
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TAF Raku Standing Horse A very cool piece
indeed. And thanks be to the Raku gods, he has dapples! |
NFS |
