HOW HORSEHAIR POTTERY IS MADE

Raku firing is a very exciting process whereby pottery is removed from the kiln while at very high heat. I use a Raku style firing process by removing my pottery from the kiln at 1000 degrees.  The horsehair is applied to the surface and burns away, leaving a black carbon imprint. Horsehair pottery is a handcrafted art of creating unique one of a kind designs that cannot be replicated.

Folklore has it that a Pueblo potter woman discovered this art form when her long hair accidentally blew on to a hot piece of pottery and made a lasting carbon impression while she was removing it from the kiln.  Fascinated by what she saw, she tried this technique with many objects from nature:  straw, pine needles, feathers and finally horse hair. They found that the thicker and coarser horsehair left striking and clear impressions. The organic nature of the pieces and the process speak to my sensibilities as an artist and inspired my horsehair collection.