'Vitreophage' the 'Raku Monster'

'Vitreophage' the 'Raku Monster'


Today was Raku Firing Day for Kirkcaldy Art Club.

Every year, our pottery section holds a Raku event in the garden of one of our tutors. Although I am not a potter, I was asked to attend as a helper and to record some of the work produced.

This year the theme was 'Naked Raku' but some potters also fired pieces with reduction glazes. This was such a piece, but the (nameless) potter has made a mistake (probably put the glaze on too thickly?) and the glaze inside this dish has beaded to a great extent.

The member's disaster was a blipper's salvation because it has provided me with a monster to explain the lack of glaze in the intermediate areas - the 'Vitreophage' has eaten it!

The Raku process is always a bit hit-or-miss and was not without its disasters. Apart from this one, we had a couple that cracked during the very stressful process known a Raku Pottery.

However, it was excellent weather and a perfect day for our members to socialise and be creative. Thoroughly enjoyed by all.