Mine!

This is a long read but it has to be - to understand why I had to have it. If you don't understand, it's OK. I do.  Al is a local potter.

Al’s Quote preceding the making of Raku Pots

Through The Fire Collection: A Raku Pottery / Metal Jewelry Collaboration

"I am happy to announce I am currently creating a body of raku pots in collaboration with metal jewelry artist Kathleen Taylor that will be on display at the Slanted Art Co-Op Gallery in Montrose, PA for the month of March.

The pandemic has taken a toll on all of us in ways we may not realize. We have been pushed to our limits at times as we traveled through our infernos. But the fires can also refine us.

May we all take time to see ourselves and each other, with community and collaboration, to recognize how the fires can make us all stronger and more beautiful.

I do hope you all enjoy this specialized collection of raku and metal handmade art. And may each one of you break forth to behold the stars in the new year."

"e quindi uscimmo a riveder le stelle" - Inferno, by Dante Alighieri, Canto 34

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Raku generally refers to a type of low-firing process that was inspired by traditional Japanese raku firing. Western-style raku usually involves removing pottery from the kiln while at bright red heat and placing it into containers with combustible materials. Once the materials ignite, the containers are closed.

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February 15th

Al created 13 pots for Raku processing, then fired first time.

Kathleen Taylor cut out the copper for the enameled pendants.

The next firing - See  3 minute VIDEO 

The raku firing after glazing 

March 13

Pots are ready for display with special selected enameled jewelry.

March 14

I selected the one I’d like to buy as my birthday gift from me to me even before it had the jewelry added. It wasn't even for sale so I begged.

March 16

All 8 pots went on display for 4 weeks at Slanted Art Cooperative. Seven have stress cracks, one has none. He made 13 altogether when starting the project. Mine has a slight stress crack. OK with me!

March 16

My pot is named Beatrice. Beatrice represents divine revelation, theology, faith, contemplation and grace. The name Beatrice then means “bringer of blessing.” So while not a Biblical name explicitly, it can have Christian connotation. In Dante’s Divine Comedy, Beatrice is the guide who leads Dante out of Purgatory and through Paradise. She was the inspiration for Dante and very beautiful.

All of the pots were named. The collaboration of both artists weren't going to sell the ones with the stress cracks but then decided to. It was decided that every one of them is beautiful in its own way. 

I have to wait a little longer to take possession of her! Slanted Art was happy to announce that Al Wayman and Kathleen Taylor will be the featured artists for March 18 through April 19th.

FYI: Stress cracks are hairline cracks in the piece due to thermal shock due to the thermal process. Al was going to hammer those pieces into shards for mosaics after the show but folks thought he should not.

Kathleen Taylor did a great job with the jewelry pieces for this special collection. Many of the copper enameled pieces were fired multiple times and are really lovely. (They are removable.)

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