Kindling the flame

Our first wood firing in our converted kiln - October 2021.

My path into pottery, and wood firing in particular has been one of fascination and self-driven learning. Whilst I hold a BFA degree in three dimensional Studio Art, I came out of college with little experience with clay and none making functional pottery. However a few years after graduating my sculptural explorations began to involve clay (thanks to my wife Naomi’s position as an art teacher and her father’s little 30 year old electric kiln). Then I learned about wood firing from a potter friend. I was amazed to think about the potters stoking massive kilns for days on end, filling them with flame and molten ash, transforming the dry brittle clay into stone and glass. This resonated deeply with ideas I have explored in sculpture – the transformation and shaping of material (wood in my case) through burning – very inspired by the sculptor David Nash.

Using flame to carve out the inside of a log for my undergrad senior thesis piece in 2014

​​So I began to read, watch and learn as much as I could about wood firing, and naturally the philosophies and practices of studio pottery came to my attention, inseparable as they are from firing kilns since they are filled mostly with functional ware. I resonated with the philosophies of Leach, Yanagi and Hamada, especially as carried on by people like Warren Mackenzie, Phil Rogers and other studio potters. The simple beauty of handmade clay objects enriching daily life clicked with many things that had drawn me to sculpture. I love process, the marks of the hand, and truth to material – all values held by many studio potters.
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One thing led to another, and Naomi and I began to practice throwing on the wheel, and found ourselves with a collection of clumsy mugs, cups, bowls and vases, that much to our surprise friends and family were all too happy to buy from us (Thank you!). And so Menkis Works Pottery was born! But more importantly we had found a way to work side by side creatively with a singular but individual vision. Previously we had separate studios – Naomi being a painter and myself a sculptor. But chainsaws and paint brushes aren’t good studio mates, and we had struggled with the desire to spend time together and pursue our callings as artists. But now we can do both together. And that is another facet of wood firing which attracts us to it - it is an activity which draws people together. Whilst it is possible to fire a wood kiln alone, it is much easier and more enjoyable with friends. Even with our little wood kiln, holding only 50 pots and taking just 12 hrs to fire, we always have friends and family visiting during firings. We love that we can share our process of creativity, as well as the creations that result.

Firing together!

​​Now that I have rambled on more than I intended, I will try to come to the point of all this. Not having a formal mentor, teacher or training in wood firing I have spent much time reading articles, books and scouring the web for information. I am indebted to those who have taken time to share so much of their knowledge. Though I have learned much, there came a point where I could not substitute “book knowledge” for experience any more, and I needed to just dive right in. This is where our little wood kiln came from. To be honest I am still at the very beginning of learning to wood fire and (I hope) there is a long road ahead. One goal of this blog is to give some help and confidence to others interested in learning the process but not knowing where to start. It will also be a place for anyone who is interested to learn a bit more about the why’s and how’s of what Naomi and I do, and what makes us tick. This will by no means be a comprehensive or cohesive record – but a snapshot of a couple of potters trying to figure it out as they go. So I hope that if you find this blog it can be of some interest or help – even if it shows you exactly what NOT to do! Thanks for reading along!
 
-Brian Menkis

we love sharing the excitement of a freshly opened kiln with our children!