Smoke Firing

Smoke-firing "Natural Beauty"

Smoke-firing is another primitive way of firing pottery.  This process uses "no glazes";  the colors come from the smoke of fire.  Smoke-firing is less intense than pit-firing.  This process has a different look and feel, one that offers a soft patina which gently envelops the piece.  You can see the movement of the smoke in the soft and dark hues.  The colors can vary depending on the combustible material used;  it can be soft tans to warm browns and yellows, from soft blues to even black.  

Control of the depth of hues can be achieved by the amount of oxygen allowed to enter the firing chamber.

 Some pieces are embellished with hand-carving, then accentuated with stains made of various oxides.  The final stage of smoke firing softens the designs, which gives it a elegant and natural feel.

 Many people ask the difference between pit-firing and smoke-firing; it is the intensity of heat.  Pit-firing is fired below ground where the pieces are buried among the red hot embers, which come from wood, straw, sawdust and other combustibles.  Smoke-firing is above ground, fired in a brick chamber.  The combustible materials used are much faster burning and the chamber allows for oxygen to enter.  This creates a much less intense firing atmosphere, which develops the soft hues of smoke firing. 

Click here to see a photo diary of a workshop.

The following is work created by resident artist, Dawn Soltysiak