Betty Greiser
The pottery journey started at 10 years old, foraging for natural clay from Binbrook Conservation Area and forming malleable lumps of clay into pinch and coil pots and simple animal sculptures. My parents were a huge influence, always creative whether it be macramé, stained glass, mosaic tables, or painting.
Fast forward to 2023, I'm a proud member of the Art Gallary of Burlington, and Burlington Potter's Guild, a group of vibrant and friendly potters with knowledge to share, affording their members with electric, gas, and raku kilns, slab rollers, and numerous potters' wheels.
Please contact me if you are interested in a custom piece.
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Thank you.
Macro Crystalline Glazes
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Observing stunning crystalline formation evokes fascination by nature's beauty. These glazes are formulated by hand using precise measurements of rare materials such as lithium, titanium, cobalt, zinc, nickel and rare earth oxides such as erbium, neodymium, and praseodymium just to name a few.
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The firing process employs a complex schedule with temperature ramps. The amount of time held at different temperatures contribute to the size of crystals which randomly occur making each piece unique.
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Because of the runny nature of the glaze the piece must be fired on a pedestal and glaze catcher to be carefully removed after firing. The bottom of each piece is smoothed using a diamond grinding disc.
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The failure rate can be high but if all works out the results are so satisfying.
Mocha Diffusion Glazes
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Probably the most enjoyable and satisfying glaze application technique to observe as dendritic fingers of vibrant colour randomly spread as the acidic mason stain concoction meets alkaline porcelain slip resulting in a feathery display just like bolts of lightening reaching out in all directions.
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The name Mocha Diffusion comes from the Red Sea port of Mocha, now in Yemen, a city associated with moss agates (Mocha Stone).
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The technique dates back to the 1780's and was invented in Staffordshire, in the UK.
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Some acidic mason stains might contain tobacco juice, nail polish remover, beer, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, toothpaste, urine and wine.
Ash Glazes
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Ash glazes are easy to spot as they break nicely over the pot forming long rivulets and lucious drips. Made from wood ash, each glaze is unique, borrowing the natural fluxes inherent to the type of wood being used.
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Ash glazing began around 1500 BC in China during the Shang Dynasty, initially by accident as ash from the burnt wood in the kiln landed on pots. The increase in firing temperature gave pots a denser, more durable, vitrified surface.
Raku
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Modern Raku is made in a special low temperature firing method, heated very fast, just long enough to melt the glaze. The orange molten pieces are place into containers with combustable materials like sawdust and paper, then covered creating a reduction atmosphere.
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This process leaves behind unique colours and textures on the surface of the pottery.
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Here, horsehair is singed onto the pot leaving unique markings.
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The Ouroboros or Uroboros is an ancient symbol dicpicting a serpent or dragon eating its own tail.
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Hallowe'en theme Witch's Brew Teapot with Mermaid Tears and Black Cat Magic Potion Teacups. On display at The Art Gallery of Burlington
Stella the mischievous Siamese sculpture
On display at The Art Gallery of Burlington
Sculpture and Altered Forms
