PIT FIRING PROCESS

For over 20 years the focus of Joel’s work has been burnished pit-fired vessels, sculptures, wall murals, and most recently, drums and percussion instruments. This technique, which predates the advent of glazes and kiln firings, involves rubbing or "burnishing" the piece with highly polished, hard stones prior to its firing. This produces a smooth and natural sheen on the clay surface.

"There’s something about the smooth polished, unglazed clay surface that I am attracted to. I find burnishing my work to be a very intimate process. Glaze, creates a glass-like surface on a piece which is very hard, functional, but cold. To me, the unglazed burnished surface is a much warmer and sensual one".

Pieces are fired in a covered pit with wood, sawdust, dung, seaweed and other organic materials to produce a variety of colors and fire markings. Due to the unpredictable nature of the fire, each piece develops a unique surface and individuality of its own!