I see clay much as a painter sees a canvas, and I use glaze as a painter uses oils or water colors. But unlike more traditional painting techniques,
fired glazes can produce unexpected results. My work explores this interplay of various glazes, resulting in surprising combinations of color and effect.
My platters range from 11 inches up to 19 inches in size. Working with these large palettes of clay, I have always kept in mind my goal of combining painting
with the clay work. This unusual method of glaze application often produces surprisingly beautiful results that thrill the eye and bring me great personal satisfaction.
Much of the beauty of the glazes I use and their interactions with one another cannot be captured by a camera. The camera tends to flatten the depth of the textured layers of
glass that make up the glazes. After being fired to over 2300 degrees in a reduction atmosphere, many of these glazes develop a crystalline structure that refracts the light, producing a glitter-like effect.
The following image provides a closer look at this interaction of the glazes taking place on the platter seen at the left.
Even when I deliberately repeat a design, because of the nature of the glazes and the uncontrollable interactions that are a gift from the kiln,
I am never able to reproduce the exact same effect twice. The following image is a closer look at the glazes on this platter.
While each piece of a dinnerware set is, in fact, a one of a kind piece, the same glazes and glazing technique are used for each line. Each piece of a set will
look different and yet the same. All my functional ware can be used in an oven, microwave or dishwasher and my glazes are food safe.
Shown here are a 9 inch charger from the Blue-Red line of dinnerware and a 10 ounce mug and small serving plate from the Green-Red line of dinnerware.
I accept custom orders and offer a Bridal Registry for those who wish to collect full place settings of my dinnerware lines.
Also I often create one of a kind styles for customers. I encourage people to mix and match, and facilitate that by using a family of glazes I have worked with for a long time, and that I know work well together. This is very satisfying to all concerned, and I have learned much from this creative process.
I recently began giving glaze workshops and find them to be a great deal of fun. In them I share methods
developed during my search for unusual, painterly glaze effects. I teach ways to pour, brush and trail multiple layers of glazes for an endless variety of colors, designs and effects. While these techniques work best
with high fire and mid-range glazes, they can be applied to any type of firing, oxidation or reduction, at any temperature, and with any clay body. The ultimate results are limited only by each potter's imagination and
sense of adventure.
Prices for my pieces range from $20 to $250 and my work can be purchased by contacting me directly or by visiting the weekend gallery at
The Berkeley Potters Guild 731 Jones St., Berkeley, CA.
Contact me at my studio at 510-845-0849 or email me at rikigil@cwnet.com
