Iron Mountain

Iron oxide in one form or another has been a decorative element used by potters for at least ten thousand years. Iron oxide is one of the more versatile colorants for potters, producing browns, blacks, greens, blues, yellows, and reds, depending on the chemistry of the glazes and the conditions of the firing. When I was learning ceramics in the Sixties two out of every three glazes we used had iron oxide as one of the colorants.

I have created this pattern so that I can continue to honor that tradition. It is named after spot in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that was part of the great iron ore range and provided the raw materials for Detroit's industrial development. I lay down two layers of an iron-saturated slip and then decorate with a porcelain slip. The brushwork will vary from piece to piece. I again use a very light celadon glaze. The design is transformed in the firing. The high concentration of iron in the slip starts to melt the surface of the slip which in turn blends with the glaze sitting on top of it forming a new glaze which ranges from a rich brown to black. This surface is variable from area to area depending on thickness and temperature. Where there is white porcelain brushwork the glaze remains a light celadon with dark highlights when the brushwork gets thin.

Colors Page - Copper Harbor - Georgian Bay - Lake Superior