Special Message: It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my great mentor and friend, Hiroshi Ogawa, on April 9, 2021. I am forever grateful to Hiroshi and his wife, Keiko, for creating, nurturing and sustaining such a vibrant community of woodfire potters. Hiroshi will be greatly missed. His legacy will live on through his beautiful pots and through our hearts and hands. For more information about Hiroshi, please visit this OPB link.
Since 1973, I have worked with various firing temperatures which has allowed me to explore the amazing nature of clay in regard to form and surface decoration.
In 2000, with the help of generous potters, I was introduced to the ancient firing technique of woodfire in an Anagama kiln. The ultimate reward for me has been not the resulting pottery or sculpture, but the sense of community which surrounds the various kiln sites in the Pacific Northwest.
While I work mostly in mid-range Cone 6 porcelain clay (2200° Fahrenheit) and fire in a digitally controlled electric kiln, I take time to experiment with several high temperature stoneware and porcelain clay bodies, and when invited to an Anagama firing, strive to make specific work for each kiln.
Electric firing allows me to control not just the glaze colors, but also the designs, as most of my pieces are airbrushed with underglazes. The results are crisp images in vibrant, neon colors. This work is often mistaken for glass.
Woodfire is about letting go of control: letting the clay come alive, often without glaze, and allowing the flame and wood ash to make their marks.
Both techniques seem so opposite, yet I feel what I learn about form and surface in each process -- both in electric firings and in woodfire -- brings new energy to the clay and greater enthusiasm to my work.
Thank you for visiting my site! For more information or to purchase work or a gift certificate, please contact me.
NATALIE WARRENS CERAMIC DESIGN - CONTACT
I'd love to hear from you! You may reach me by email nw2x@comcast.net phone 503.705.3949 or address : 3625 NE 16th Avenue ~ Portland, OR 97212