EAST CREEK ANAGAMA EXPERIENCE
with Frank Boyden, Wilamina, Gregon, May 24th to June 3rd, 1990

A few years ago, Oregon potters Frank
Boyden, Tom Coleman, and Nils Lou got
together on a mission to build thelr own
anagama. Thirty-some firings later, we
were fortunate to experience helping to
fire this gentle giant. Over the 24th of
May weekend, Frank Boyden, Don Reltz,
seven polters from the Seward Park and
Potters Northwest Association of Seattle
and ourselves made up the crew for the
next three days.

Day One: Frank Boyden spent pains-
taking hours loading pots In Just the
night spot, hoping to achieve a desirable
fired result. Two foot diameter platters
were leaned against the outer walls and
ata certain angle, and often undera side
stoking hole for the ash build-up that
would be produced. Unlike traditional
loading in anagamas, lots of kiln shelves
were used, and pots were not tightly
packed In consideration of the flow of
the lame. Once the door was bricked
up, Lynne (being the furthest from home)
started the fire in the air hole in the
botteam of the door to slowly warm the
Kiln. A couple of hours later, at twenty
minute intervals. three to five pleces of
alder were dropped through the front
stoking hole, This was kept up through-
out a rainy cold night by people taking
three-hour watches,

Day Two dawned cold, and the gentle
giant was in the 700 degree Fahrenheit
range. The slow rhythm of stoking was
continued throughout the day. A group
of ua went to visit the David Shaner
show at the Maveety Gallery in Sal-
lshan. His wood-fired, addised copper
Thanganese pieces are simple, strong
and so cirect, There is also an incredible
enllection of outstanding potters and
other craftspeople in this Gallery.

By 3:30 pm Cone 05 was bending in the
front area, and it was time for the first
beady reduction, This involved loading
up the firebox with lots of alder until the
flames pulsed in and out through the
stoking hole, and black smoke came out
the chimney. The firebox was “topped
up* as reduction was maintalmed for
about an hour. Then the slow climb
eontinied until about 11:50 pm, when
the middle section was warm enough
and a second body reduction was be-
gun. All started well until suddenly, the

kiln lid covering the stoking hole col-
lapsed in a crumble at the foot of the
kiln. Another door was quickly rigged up
so that only a minor delay in reduction
occurred.

Day Three saw the kiln continuing tts
alow steady climb, so off we went for
breakfast al the local “Rocket Cafe*. By
neon, Cones 12 and 13 were still stand-
ing in the front chamber, but they flnalhy
succumbed in the early afternoon. Fir
had replaced the alder as the fuel source,
and the rhythm intensified with a re-
duction/oxidation cycle occurring with

every stoking,

Dinner evolved into a barbegqued fresh

oyster feeding frenzy, as the anagama
continued tts slow climb,

Once Cone 10 and 1] were bending in
the middle section, rhythmic side stok-
ing began and later joined with the side
stoking tn the rear areas. As well, occa-
stonal stoking in the front kept that area
warm.

About five hours later, Cones 12 and 13
were bending In the rear of the kiln anc
it was time to stoke the side holes with
charcoal, sending breathtaking fireworks
out the chimney. The side stoking holes
and front brick door were sealed up, and

Page 4

By Cathi Jefferson & Lynne Johnson

the kiln was allowed! to con] over the mex
week,

One week later, a cooling Kiln revealed
the treasures only fire can impart to
clay, The unloading ts an occasion with
much excitement, and this firing was no
exception. Some pieces glowed with
warmth from the flame, while others
hed been showered with ash.

The experience was an opportunity to
share in the firing of an anagama, as
well as to get to knew and understared!
some fellow potters. Frank Boyden has
@ fentle intensity. and a keenness for
both clay and people. A legendary figure
auch as Don Reitz shares so much of
himaelf with others, with an energy and
enthusiaam for clay that hasn't dimin-
ished over the years.

This gentle giant anagama helps to re-
establish one's basic priorities with clay-

Cathi Jeffersen and Lynne Johnson ore
ELC. potters and ceramic artists [ving in
North Vancouver and Courtenay, respec-
tively, and we thank them for sharing
this experience with us,

Note; Cris Giuffride of Chase, B.C, works
with an anagamea, and is still interested
in having a video made of the firing event.

Seplember, 190