Purple and mauve raku urn with cover.

Raku is a method of firing ceramic pottery taken from a 16th century Japanese process in which the ceramic piece is removed from a hot kiln and placed into combustible materials. The resulting smoke and flames create vivid colors and unique carbon patterns. For local Michigan artist Judy Geerts, this process is the perfect balance of science and art. REgarding her work Geerts states, “There are so many variables in achieving good color with Copper Flash, and I very much enjoy finding that ‘sweet spot’ where I can maximize the beauty of the color with [what] I have hand built.”