Kaufman Raku Studio

The Process

The process of making the faces starts with special Raku clay, which allows the clay to withstand the thermal shock caused by the extremes in temperature. I roll the clay into slabs and cut the leather hard clay into the shape of the face. I then cut additional pieces of clay and apply them as raised features and then draw the final features into the clay. Once completely dry, the face is fired to 1900 degrees, (called the bisque firing), which hardens the clay. The next step is to apply raku glazes, which contain high quantities of metal oxides, after which the faces are fired again. This is where it gets interesting and where the raku process really begins. I use a large electric outdoor kiln to fire the faces to around 1650 degrees, then remove the now red hot glowing faces with special gloves/face protection and place them into a bed of combustibles, usually shredded paper and hay. The heat causes the combustibles to burst into flames, after which they are sealed using metal containers. The fire quickly uses all of the oxygen in the container. This process is termed "reduction" and is what causes the unique, unpredictable and often wonderful patterns of color and metallic luster. The swift drop in temperature, along with the dark smoke, also creates the crackle often seen with white glaze. The faces are left to cool which can take several hours before they can be handled and cleaned with water. Picture wire is affixed to the rear with wood blocks and epoxy, then each face is named based upon their personality and signed on the back. Each firing is an exciting adventure, since so many variables are involved, I can never predict the results. Slightly different temperatures, combustibles, humidity and glaze combinations all work in concert to create a unique and unrepeatable result. Sometimes, amazing, and sometimes a disappointment which prompts a second firing, but each face is truly a unique one-of-a-kind piece.