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reduction misunderstood..

updated fri 12 jun 98

 

Talbott on thu 11 jun 98

When I read potters stating that their electric kiln, oxidation
fired pots are brighter than the pots they fired in reduction then I just
shake my head in disbelief. I think that some potters just don't really
get into reduction even when they have the chance to use a gas or other
fossil fuel fired kiln. I will be posting some photos of some brillantly
colored reduction fired pots in the near future, once I figure out a way to
scan the slides (transparencies) of our work, and I think that will tell
all. Like a penny that just came out of the mint all bright and shinny
(reduction) compared to an old penny all dull and brown (oxidation)..
Don't get me wrong.. There are some nice glazes fired in oxidation but I
have never seen a pot fired in oxidation that made me say, "Oh my God!"
and I can tell you I do see those outstanding glazes coming out of a
reduction firing. Firing in a gas kiln is MUCH more involved than firing
electric.. I guarantee. There is a definite learning curve and there is a
fine line between success and failure. But with the right tools including
an oxyprobe the glaze result can be spectacular. Thanks for listening...
Marshall

http://www.PotteryInfo.com

101 CLAYART MUGS (Summer 1998)
2ND ANNUAL CLAYARTERS' GALLERY - NAPLES, MAINE (Summer 1998)
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Celia & Marshall Talbott, Pottery By Celia, Route 114, P O Box 4116,
Naples, Maine 04055-4116,(207)693-6100 voice and fax,(call first)
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