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fading of smoke fired ceramics

updated thu 24 jun 10

 

Allyson May on wed 23 jun 10


Hey Peter,

All alternative fired ceramic should be treated as any other piece of =3D
fine art. You wouldn't hang a fine oil painting in direct sunlight =3D
because the light will damage it. You must treat your ceramic art with =3D
the same care. I work in alternative fired ceramics focusing mainly on =3D
Naked Raku, Saggar and Black-fire. These smoky surfaces are fragile =3D
because they are not fired to vitrification...the clay remains porous =3D
and soft. The surfaces can be easily damaged by rough handling and =3D
direct sunlight.

I have several pieces of pueblo pottery which have been smoke fired. =3D
Some of them are very old. The smoke markings are still very black and =3D
rich. I have not noticed any change in them but I do protect them from =3D
direct sunlight. I have not noticed any of my own work fading even on =3D
pieces that are 10+ years old. Again I treat them as pieces of fine =3D
art.

As for sealers, many alternative fire artists use clear sealants. You =3D
must be careful not to get one that yellows over time. I have used tile =
=3D
sealer from Lowes (Jasco I think) on regular glazed raku to help hold =3D
copper matte glazes. It has worked well for these pieces. I have never =
=3D
used a sealant on my other alternative work because I prefer paste wax =3D
for these. The sealer, in my opinion, changes the look and feel of the =3D
surface...makes it look artificial. I can spot these sealed pots =3D
immediately. All this being said, a sealant will still not allow you to =
=3D
place a piece of smoke fired pottery in a window which receives direct =3D
sunlight...it will fade. Good luck in your search.

Peace,
Allyson May
www.stoneycreekpottery.com