While working with local materials to independently design and create their pottery, Caroline Roberts and Nikita Nenashev collaborate in reduction-cool wood firing. They first began firing together while resident artists at Cub Creek Foundation in Appomattox, VA, and soon discovered a shared interest in the dark and subtle surfaces produced by down-firing kilns. Since then, they’ve explored the many facets of this style together, investigating how surfaces are impacted by wood type, clay, glaze and slip application, firing length and temperature. Caroline and Nikita currently live and work outside of Eugene, OR as resident artists at Pleasant Hill Pottery.

This workshop will highlight experimental techniques, processes, and materials for a Cone 8-10 reduction-cool woodfiring in the Oki Doki Studio’s train kiln. Participants will discuss how materials, wadding varieties, slips, and clay bodies, as well as the basic principles of firing and controlled cooling a train kiln, play an important role in creating color, flashing, texture, and ash quality. This workshop’s focal point is firing work with minimal glaze application, in favor of pursuing a dark, raw-clay palette of blacks, grays, and reds. After unloading the kiln there will be an opportunity to review the results; analyzing how different materials reacted to the reducing flame. 

Everyone will have an active role in loading their work into the kiln, as well as have input in devising strategies for loading and firing. We will also go over various methods of post-firing surface treatment. All levels and experiences will be welcome. 

Participants will bring Each participant is allotted 2 cubic feet or 15-20 6x6x6 inches of bisque fired cone 10 work. We also encourage students to bring a few extra “stuffer” pieces that are approximately 3x2x2. These are not priority pieces, but are easy to use to fill gaps in the kiln, and can be added if there is extra space. After registration participants will receive an email with a list of cone 10 clays and any extra information on the workshop.