_JPG.jpg)
How I create
After many years building using lots different clays I use an amazing clay, Ashraf Hanna Clay, named after an Egyptian born potter who lives in Wales. The clay is a lovely white colour, this is a great background for any colours. Contained within the clay is a fine grog- grog is ground up fired clay powder, the grog adds strength to the pots when hand building, it also provides the pots with the ability to withstand the thermal shock during smoke firings.
Coiling
I coil by mainly rolling out the clay to the required thickness for the piece, I then cut the slab of clay into strips, this is a super effective way to build up the walls of the pots, and the way Ashraf Hanna builds. Each layer is scored- crosshatching the clay, then slip- liquid clay is applied, this acts like a glue to secure each layer as I build.
Pinch pots
This is my preferred method for creating my animals. I take equal quantities of clay and make a ball, then using a tool I create a hole which I then make larger, whilst keeping the walls an even thickness. The 2 pots are scored and slipped, this creates the basic shape, which I model to make the animals.
Burnishing
Burnishing is a way to build up a highly polished surface sheen on pottery. I find it very therapeutic. My essential tools are a rounded teaspoon, a metal tool and various crystals.
After smoothing the surface, removing any lumps and bumps, I start preparing the clay surface, using hard implements to gently push the grog back into the surface of the piece. This also adds strength to the walls of the form. After many hours and at least 5 rounds of burnishing, the surface comes to a high gloss, the clay is also slightly drying as you work it. Once I'm happy I'll allow the piece to dry.
Electric Firing
I fire all my pots to just under a 1000oC in an electric kiln, this is hard wired in my porch. My kiln is a little work horse, it came to me second hand, I have fired in 250+ times and it's still going strong.
The Alchemy of Smoke
To create the fabulous range of colours each piece is wrapped in foil, this is called a saggar, contained within is a myriad of combustibles: seaweed, banana skins, pink Himalayan rock salt, copper carbonate, copper wire, miracle grow and even my own hair (when available) Each of these combust and the colours are absorbed on the clays surface, simply magical.
My pots are smoke fired in a steel garden incinerator, placed on top of a saw dust bed, then a layer of kindling before larger pieces of wood are gingerly placed. igniting is always a challenge and requires a good blow torch, as I light from the top, allowing the heat to generate as the fire burns down.
Then the long wait, the pieces need to be cool before unpacking, this can take 10 hours, but the wait is well worth it. Every time I unpack a firing it's like I am being gifted the most amazing delights, this is my happy time.
