Ceramic ware is first dried and bisque-fired (low-temp firing to harden the clay) so it can more easily accept glazing and withstand the faster higher-temp raku firing.
The raku firing, heats the work to around 1,900°F – to the point that the glazes have melted and stabilized.
The red hot ceramic is removed from the kiln. Rapid cooling causes the glaze to harden and crackle.
The ceramic is placed in a metal container filled with dry leaves. The heat causes the leaves to combust. Leaves are allowed to burn for a moment, then a lid is placed over the container cutting off the oxygen supply. The lack of oxygen within the container causes the metallic compounds within the glaze to reduce (turn to its metallic state). Oxygen re-entering the atmosphere will let the metallic compounds oxidize. A mix of the two creates a variety of colors and effects.
After a few minutes, the lid is removed and the ceramic is doused with water to immediately cool it.
A finished piece showing where smoke has penetrated the crackle in the glaze (accentuating the cracks) and inside reduction and oxidation effects where copper carbonate was added.
Night is the time to fire! After the glaze has melted, the kiln lid is removed, revealing a red hot ceramic platter ready to go.
The primal, elemental, and somewhat unpredictable nature is what draws me to this process.