Raku: Investigations Into Fire
by David Jones
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/186126139X/rakuclayartis-20
This book, as with most books on Raku start with an overview of the
history of Raku including the tea ceremony, different philosophies of
Raku, how Raku came to America, and present day Raku.
Next Jones moves on to covering the materials involved in Raku and the
Raku process. There is a considerable section on glazes, glaze chemistry,
and glaze testing techniques. He then addresses the clay body and what
makes a good Raku clay.
The next section deals with kilns and the firing process. He details
various forms of kilns and functionality but not actually constructing a
kiln (for books on building a Raku kiln see - Raku: A Practical Approach
or Raku Pottery at http://www.garyrferguson.com/books.htm
Jones then includes a chapter on creativity, the search for ideas, and
developing a style. This is a good activity for the intermediate to
advanced artist - to find one's "voice."
The last and largest chapter is what I will call the "eye
candy" section. It includes a diverse sampling of Raku from a variety
of artists (both Robert and Gail Piepenburg are included). Each artist has
a summary statement of his or her work and inspirations for the art form.
"This book is essential, not only for any potter interested in
Raku, but also for collectors and those concerned with the development of
ideas and traditions in ceramics." Jones.
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