Otto's Glazes

What's so special about yellow?

In Asia, for centuries artists have been searching for a high-temperature yellow glaze. Low fire is easy. But at higher temperatures, the ingredients in yellow glazes fire out.

	Never, until twelve years ago, when Otto mixed the magic formula, has anyone else been able to consistently produce a yellow glaze of this type. It's a beautiful matte lemon yellow; the wood kiln adds a random peach blush to the pots. Otto's formula is committed to memory; no one else knows the secret combination and their exact percentages.
Yellow Tear Drop 8" w X 16"h $25,000		Yellow Bird's Egg Bottle 14"w X 12"h $25,000

	Yellow Glaze; 8", $1000

Salt Glazing

Otto has several kilns at his studio; one of them is his salt kiln. Once salt has been introduced to a kiln, you can't ever fire any other glaze in it. The salt creates a glaze on both the pot and the inside of the kiln.

This is what happens:

* The kiln is fired to vitrius, (the point where the clay is sealed and will hold liquid).
* The clay is first reduced as normal, accomplished by shutting off air (the amount of oxygen) into the kiln so oxygen is pulled out of the clay instead.
* Kosher pickling salt is added through 4 holes at the sides of the kiln. Each bag weighs one pound with a wet paper towel inside to add steam and vaporize the salt.
* The silica in the clay is drawn to the outside of the pot and the salt vapor attacks it at the surface, creating a glaze.
* The salt is left to burn out 20 minutes. Then air is introduced for 20 minutes. When the kiln has reached a temperature of 2475°F, the salting is repeated using 8 pounds, (two pounds in each hole).
* This time the kiln is left closed and the gas is shut off until it cools.

It takes two to tango: one person (Otto) takes the kiln plugs from the side of the kiln,

...and one person (Chris at right) to throw in the salt. They wear bandanas to protect them from the intense heat, vapor and exploding salt crystals.


White w/ Blue, 16"; $600		Turquoise, 5"; $250

	Other glazes bring rich colors into the palette: deep reds from copper pigment, cobalt blues and pale, ancient- tradition celadons. Otto's straightforward shapes are often painted with organic forms or Asian calligraphic images, which comes from early appreciation and study of Japanese master potters. Applewood ash gives a muted, speckled surface. Whatever glazes are applied, the results are always honest, simple and elegant, attesting to his sincerity as a working craftsman and artist.
Deep Copper Red, 7.5"; $400	Click here to see more shapes and styles.	Salt Glaze w/ Blue, 4"; $300
	If you see a pot you can't live without, Otto can make one for you! Contact The Pottery at (805) 646-3393 to inquire about pricing, availablity and other information:

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