Asheville Made Magazine - February 3, 2021

Arranging An Art-Filled Home Is A Sweet Fit For Sculptor And Ikebana Practitioner

by Carolyn Comeau

“Steven Forbes-deSoule is a celebrated Raku sculptor — highly accomplished in the American form of the Japanese art, where the vessel is removed from the hot kiln and placed in combustible materials. His wife Lynn Powell Forbes, a retired Buncombe County Schools ESL specialist, is a master of the Japanese art of flower arrangement known as ikebana (she is president of the Asheville chapter of WNC Ikebana International).”

Read more: https://ashevillemade.com/arranging-an-art-filled-home-is-a-sweet-fit-for-sculptor-and-ikebana-practitioner/

Raku: Spontaneity in the Flames (January 22 - June 19, 2021)

Raku pottery incorporates elements of knowledge, experience, excitement, unpredictability, and spontaneity, and is somewhat akin to a semi-controlled convergence of science, craft, art, and magic with a bit of chaos thrown in for good measure. Come see a colorful variety of Western-style work by a number of North Carolina's Raku potters from across the state and learn more about the making of Raku.

https://ncpotterycenter.org/ncpc-events/show-opening-raku-spontaneity-in-the-flames/

North Carolina Pottery Center

233 East Avenue
Seagrove, NC 27341 United States

336-873-8430

Commissioned Piece for Mission Hospital - Asheville

I’m excited to share a commissioned piece for Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC!

Rising From the Ashes #1: 25"H x 20"W Mission Hospital Commission (Not For Sale)

Where Will the Art Be Displayed?
The new 12-story Mission Hospital for Advanced Medicine in Asheville will create a significantly expanded state-of-the-art emergency department with 97 beds, consolidated operating, preoperative and recovery space along with interventional cardiology and radiology space that allows for true multidisciplinary, team-based interventional care with the very latest technology. Importantly, the facility was designed to embrace patients and families throughout the care process including sleep-in-rooms and a unique energy-efficiency focus and design that will set a new standard for future innovation. The new tower is set to open in the fall of 2019.

Raku Pottery Glaze: Shiny Copper Flash

The flashing will vary with each firing. This was fired to 1875F and given medium post-firing reduction using newspaper after pulling from the kiln.

Shiny Copper Flash

%75 Gerstley Borate
      %12.5  Nepheline Syenite
      %12.5  EPK

    Add:
       %8 Copper Carbonate
       %2 Cobalt Carbonate
     

Raku Pottery Glaze: Copper Matt

The flashing will vary with each firing.  Both of these were fired to 1875F and given medium post-firing reduction using newspaper after pulling from the kiln.

Copper Matt

Add

%75 Gerstley Borate
      %12.5  Nepheline Syenite
      %12.5  EPK

    Add:
       %8 Copper Carbonate
       %2 Cobalt Carbonate

  Add:
       %16 Synthetic Bone Ash

     

Raku Pottery Glaze: Emerald Green Copper Flash

The raku glaze of the month is a greenish blue with copper flashes that will vary from firing to firing.

Emerald Green Copper Flash Glaze

Frit 3110:                                  30%
Frit 3124:                                  20%
Gerstley Borate:                       30%
Nepheline Syenite:                   20%
Copper Carbonate:                   5%

MARCH 20, 2019 |Naples Florida Ikebana Chapter- Guest Potter

The Naples Ikebana Chapter is one of the larger chapters in the U.S. with about 70+ members.

4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples, FL  34112 | https://www.ikebananaples.com/ 

Raku Ikebana

I have fired these raku ikebana pieces using special glazes that coordinate well with the natural vibrancy of various flowers. These special raku pottery pieces embody this wonderful art form and are sure to give an extra bit of life to any floral arrangement.  

Raku Pottery Glaze: Forbes Midnight Blue

Midnight Blue is a rich cobalt blue with red streaks in post firing reduction.  Stay tuned for this month's pot which features previous glazes of the month:  Blue Moon, Lime Green and Sassy Fat White/Silver Slither, in addition to this month's Midnight Blue.  

Forbes Midnight Blue Glaze

Frit 3110                          68%
Custer Feldspar                18%
EPK (Kaolin)                      9%
Lithium Carbonate               5%
Copper Carbonate               4%
Cobalt Carbonate                2%
Hectorite                            2% (or Bentonite 1%)

View fullsize

Raku Pottery Exhibit | Contemplative Art in the Age of Distraction June 29 - July 27

ASHEVILLE MADE MAGAZINE | It’s A Trial By Fire — And That’s After The Kiln Does Its Work

Raku pottery is an ancient Japanese art form that requires a meticulous process. But the final step is pure chance, and for Steven Forbes-deSoule, that’s the joy. “It’s like being a kid at Christmas,” he says.

Pieces are rapidly heated in a small kiln to the optimal temperature of 1900-2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Then they’re removed and placed in a metal can with newspaper. “The paper catches fire immediately, and, after a few seconds, a lid is placed on the can extinguishing the flames and creating an oxygen-starved environment,” the potter explains. This method produces a variety of effects on the piece, and it’s never the same look twice.

READ MORE>>>

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands | July 20-22, 2018

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands

71th A N N I V E R S A R Y   |  J U L Y   20 – 22  &  O C T O B E R   19 – 21,  2018

Friday through Saturday, 10:00 to 6:00 pm + Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00pm
US Cellular Center, 87 Haywood Street | Downtown Asheville, NC
General Admission, $8.00 and Children under 12 free

In its 71st year, the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands returns to downtown Asheville’s U.S. Cellular Center. Filling both the concourse and arena levels of the venue, makers exhibit a variety of craft ranging from contemporary to traditional in works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, and jewelry.

MORE INFO: https://www.southernhighlandguild.org/shops-and-fairs/craft-fair-of-the-southern-highlands/

Raku Pottery Workshop | Cowee Pottery School June 16, 2018

Raku Workshop at Cowee Pottery School in Franklin, NC

June 16, 2018 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | COST: $50

REGISTER AT: https://www.coweepotteryschool.org

Learn raku glazing strategies with award winning Steven Forbes-deSoule Students interested in this workshop will need one or two bisque pieces to raku glaze. If you are not a student currently with the Cowee Pottery School you can buy a piece to glaze for the class ($10-15.00 pieces are available)

Create with Clay

Cowee Pottery School is a nonprofit organization located in the historic Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center in the mountains of beautiful Franklin, North Carolina. We are run by a group of dedicated volunteers who specialize in teaching people of all ages the enriching art of pottery.

We offer affordable month long classes, perfect for the beginner or the pro. To see our current class list, click the button below. We keep the pottery studio open frequently throughout the week. Anyone enrolled in one of our classes can join us to practice and perfect their pottery skills during open studio at no extra charge. Day and times of open studio are listed. 

OUR CLASSES

Cowee Pottery School is here to serve those who have always wanted to get their hands muddy and create pottery, to play in clay. Which is why we're excited to host a range of pottery classes for the community. Difficulty level ranges from introductory to experienced, however most all classes will have a beginner aspect to them. And of course, all classes cater to the curious.

April Glaze : Lime Green Crackle

View fullsize

Lime Green Crackle glaze is fired to 1900 degrees F, pulled from the kiln and reduced in a small can with newspaper.

RAKU POTTERY GLAZE RECIPE

Frit 3110                  58%
Frit 3269                  10
Nepheline Syenite:   22
EPK (Kaolin)             5
Silica                        5
Add:
Chrome Oxide          .4 (point 4)
Tin Oxide                  3
Hectorite                   2  or Bentonite  1%

This month's glaze is a revision of my March Glaze called Lime Green Crackle. Stay tuned for a silver glaze recipe next month!

This glaze is fired to 1900 degrees F, pulled from the kiln and reduced in a small can with newspaper.  Lid is put on immediately. Wait about 2 1/2 minutes and remove the lid.  Rub the top of pot with torn newspaper using gloves.  Once paper ignites cover can again immediately and let cool (you may have to use a torch to reignite the paper).  

Raku Pottery Glaze: Forbes Lime Green

View fullsize

As shown fired to 2000F with pyrometer so the silver glaze will melt.

RAKU POTTERY GLAZE RECIPE

Frit 3110                     54%
Nepheline Syenite    21%
EPK (Kaolin)               10%
Silica                           10%
Lithium Carbonate     5%
Add:
Chrome                       .4% (that's point 4)
Tin                               3%
Hectorite                     2%  (or 1 Bentonite dry mixed)

A note about Hectorite:  It's a suspender in powder form similar to Bentonite except it doesn't have to be dry mixed with the other chemicals.  It's not a common raku pottery glaze chemical and you may have to search for it on the web. I purchased mine at Highwater Clays, but they don't carry it anymore due to lack of demand (nobody knew what it was used for).

Raku Pottery Glaze: Blue Moon

View fullsize

Glaze fired to 1900F.

RAKU POTTERY GLAZE RECIPE

Silica                             30%
Frit 3134                        20%
Nepheline Syenite        15%     
Lithium Carbonate.       15%
EPK Kaolin                     10%
Strontium Carbonate    10%
Tin Oxide                        7%
Copper Carbonate         4%
Bentonite                         1%

This is a stable blue and red glaze.  1/2% Epsom Salts can be substituted for Bentonite.  This glaze produces some incredible raku pottery and is one that I developed several years ago.  This picture is the results of the raku glaze fired to 1900F. It remains a staple in my studio.  See more of my work by visiting my raku pottery store.  To learn more about my process, visit my raku firing page.

NEW COMMISSION FOR ART & ASSOCIATES

I just completed firing 25 pieces for a new commission from Art and Associates in Atlanta, Georgia.  It will be installed in the new DCCU headquarters in Atlanta.  This bottle is one of the pieces which features my Space Rock glaze.

WORKSHOP: Fire and Smoke, the Art of Raku: June 26-30, 2017

I will be hosting a Raku Workshop in Highlands, NC at The Bascom's Dave Drake Studio Barn entitled "Fire and Smoke, the Art of Raku" from June 26-30, 2017.  

If you are interested, please contact The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts at: 

828-526-4949
323 Franklin Road
Highlands, NC 28741

info@thebascom.org

Write up from Venice Clay Artists

"Gazing at the free form patterns and natural colours of a raku pottery finish is like looking at the colourful atmosphere of a mysterious world. Steven Forbes deSoule raku pieces are no exception and present exotic vistas that invite wonderful intrigue. He introduces more green and blue hues, in addition to the typical earthy reds and orange raku colours, in the reduction process to enhance the colour diversity. He uses the raku standard of a steel rubbish bin for a reduction chamber, which I always view as a fantastic irony, relative to the glorious outcomes from raku firing.
Steven Forbes deSoule has been a successful raku pottery artist for over 37 years, creating unique, hand made vessels and sculptures, while finding endless ways to manipulate the oxygen, gases and glazes during the raku reduction technique, to achieve a myriad of attractive outcomes. His intricate firing process and use of his own glazes and underglazes, with multiple firings, leads to ‘one of a kind pieces’ displaying beautiful enriched colours and textures. “The one constant with my work throughout the years has been transformation. I find it fun and challenging to try new things, and I especially enjoy developing new glazes. I started firing exclusively using the raku process in 1982 and found the element of serendipity and surprise to be invigorating.”"

http://www.veniceclayartists.com/steven-forbes-desoule-raku-with-lush-hues/