I had to write about my work with glazes and kilns for a job application, today. I wrote way more than the space allowed for, but I thought it looked so good, that I wanted to share the original essay here.
During my BFA in Ceramics from UMASS Dartmouth, I learned many things about kilns, clays, and glazes. I learned how to build, fire, and repair both gas and electric kilns form the amazing Chris Gustin. I have fired both manual and computerized kilns, electric, gas, and wood kilns over the years. I am knowledgeable in both reduction and oxidation firings and have fired to many temperatures from ultra low fire (for decal and gilt work), through low fire and midfire, up to high fire in both dry and atmospheric kilns. I have helped to build several gas kilns in Massachusetts and Illinois. I have also repaired and rebuilt electric kilns while working at North Middlesex Regional High School.
As for glaze and stain mixing; I trained with Jim Lawton, at UMASS Dartmouth, in the development and mixing of clays and glazes for various firing conditions. I learned how to develop tri-axial blends to narrow down the possibilities and develop the glaze I am looking for. I also developed engobes, slips, and stains for both classes and my personal work. I have a large resource of glaze recipes for multiple temperatures that I have compiled over the past 15 years. I really enjoy testing and working on glaze formulations and making test tiles to help the studio understand what the nature of the glazes are.
I hope that this may give you an insight into what I do.
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