Kirchmer Garden Studio

Unique ceramic forms & figures in Raku
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Raku

Translated to Mean Joy of Contentment

Originating with the Japanese between the 14th to 16th century, the process has been modified by American ceramic artists. The work of Paul Soldner is recognized for originating post-fire smoking artwork, now known as American Raku.

“In the spirit of Raku, there is the necessity to embrace the element of surprise. There can be no fear of losing what was once planned and there must be an urge to grow along with the discovery of the unknown. Make no demands, expect nothing, follow no absolute plan, be secure in change, learn to accept another solution and, finally, prefer to gamble on your own intuition.” Paul Soldner

The raku process leaves the pieces porous and should be considered decorative - not for functional use - no water or food. Glazes with copper luster will continue to evolve and may tend to darken with age similar to fine silver and copper products.

 

 

 

 

Memory Keepers

 

 

We have created several raku pieces with baskets that hang inside the lid. The "basket" is used to hold a small piece of parchment on which you can write a special note - well wishes, commitments, thoughtful saying, and even regrets(!). This makes for an especially personal gift or personal piece for you collection

 

  

 

    

Wooden Bird 

Memory Keeper,

Yellow Crackle & Shogun

  

Fall Tree

Memory Keeper

White crackle/Red bead lid

9 inches

Click to enlarge

 

Blue Bird with stick

Memory Keeper

White crackle/Shogun lid

7x5 inches

 S

Flower Vine

SOLD

Clear Crackle over slip

Carved pink flowers, leaves

and purple berries

(Click to see back)

  

Red Flower w/blue stone 

Yellow crackle, w/white crackle on lid

red wood stick handle with blue stone inlay

8x6 inches

Raku Bamboo

Memory Keeper

White crackle & Shogun Blue

w/bamboo handle;

9 inches 

;

Red Bird with stick

Memory Keeper

White crackle/Shogun lid

7x5 inches

Click to enlarge

Dove 

Memory Keeper,

Yellow Crackle & Shogun

9 inches  

    

Purple Crackle

5x7

 

Red Bird with stick

Memory Keeper

White crackle/Shogun lid

7x5 inches

Click to enlarge

Face Vase

Carved face

white & yellow crackle

Black Reduction

10x7 inches

(Click to enlarge)

Samurai III

Memory Keeper

Yellow crackle/Shogun lid

Beaded Front

8 inches

   

 

 

Interlocking 

Memory Keeper

Yellow crackle, w/white crackle on lid

Bamboo clay handle

7.5x7 inches

Lotus 

White crackle,

w/copper lid; 

3x6 inches

SOLD

Tree of Life

Yellow crackle,

w/copper lid; 

3x6 inches

(Click for side view)

Ginkgo

Crackle glazes,

w/Imperial blue on lid; 

3x6 inches

    

Windswept Tree in Blue 

Memory Keeper,

Yellow Crackle &

Blue Clear Crackle

9 inches

Click to enlarge photo 

Windswept Tree in Orange

Memory Keeper,

Yellow Crackle & 

Orange Clear Crackle

9 inchesC

Click to enlarge photo

enlarge photo

Windswept Tree in Purple

Memory Keeper,

Yellow Crackle & 

Purple Clear Crackle

9 inches

Click to enlarge photo

 

Windswept Tree in Rose

Memory Keeper,

Yellow Crackle & 

Rose Clear Crackle

9 inches

Click to enlarge photo

  

 

 

 

Samurai IV

SOLD 

Memory Keeper

Yellow crackle/Shogun lid

Beaded Front

8 inches

Ganesha

Memory Keeper

White crackle

10.5x6 inches

Bamboo:

White crackle,

lidded clay bamboo handle,

carved flower design; 

5x8 inches

Samurai II

Memory Keeper

White crackle/Shogun blue

15 inches

click to see back