StoneTree Gallery
Artist Bio
Barbara Starkey - Micaceous pottery
Indian style pottery, pit fired
Wherever there are volcanoes there is micaceous clay. One such place is near La Petaca, New Mexico where I was privileged to go to dig clay. The micaceous clay is often 10 to 14 inches below the top soil and must be dug out with pick axes and shovels. The clay must be cleaned by rinsing, screening and drying. This can take many days for enough water to be removed to make the clay workable. When ready, it is stored in heavy duty plastic containers.
Each piece of cookware or pottery is hand constructed according to traditional coil and scrape methods...specifically the traditional Jicarilla method with the oils placed on the inside (with only one exception). Once a piece is constructed and dried, it is water-scraped to remove any excess clay and ridges. After wetting the piece, it is sponged and scraped as smooth as possible. Once completely dried, it is sanded with pieces of sandstone/limestone and sandpaper to obtain the smoothest surface possible. If the piece requires carving, it is done prior to polishing.
After applying 3 or 4 coats of "slip" then the polishing takes place. Quartz polishing stones are used by hand to polish the piece. the burnishing is done rapidly and very lightly at first and then with increasing pressure. As my instructor admonished me, "Polish it until your arm falls off!" No other types of glazes are used.
The firing process is the final phase. The fire is built on the ground similar to a bonfire. The pieces are stacked to allow ventilation. Each piece is unique since the fireclouds that vary from gray to a lush, cool black are contingent on where the pieces are in the fire. If you wish a total black piece, then it is placed into a reduction fire immediately after the wood fire. The polish holds up through the entire process.
The micaceous clay is fired at 1400 to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit and makes excellent as well as beautiful cookware. It can be used in the oven, on top of a gas or electric stove. Because mica is an insulator, the handles and rims do not retain heat. The pieces therefore, can be taken from the stove directly to the table. The mica clay can be used for baking beans, casseroles, desserts, soups, stews, etc. they can also be used as centerpieces and serving dishes. when used for cooking, a thin layer of vegetable oil should be put on after eaach use. it is not recommended that the pieces be put in the microwave or dishwasher.
