Create stunning pieces with an opalescent terra sigillata and horse hair raku firing, led by artist Natalya Seva.

We will meet twice:

Sunday 5/23 from 11:00am-3:00pm

Sunday 5/30 either 9:30am-12:30pm or 1:00pm-4:00pm (choose your session when you register)

Still Life Studio

850 Pico Blvd

Santa Monica, CA 90405

Join us at Still Life Studio in Santa Monica on May 23rd and 30th for a hands-on workshop and create organic abstract impressions with an opalescent surface on your own porcelain vessels. Through the process of horse hair raku firing, we will learn techniques from applying the iridescence-bearing terra sigillata to "printing" with organic materials onto scorching hot pieces right out of the kiln.

This workshop will introduce participants to a technique for using mica powders as coloring agents for raku pieces. Cosmetic grade mica powders can be added to terra sigillata or sodium silicate to give a raku piece a unique and colorful look. Raku techniques that can use mica include horsehair raku, sodium silicate, naked raku, post fire reduction, and foil saggar raku. Participants will be able to fire mica-infused terra sigillata pots using horsehair firing.

Students will learn about and apply terra sigillata during the first meeting on 5/23. On 5/30 we will gather outside, fire our pieces in a raku kiln, and apply horse hair.

This workshop is intended for intermediate to advanced level potters. Participants should bring three bone dry pieces of greenware with them on the first day, made from Babu porcelain to be provided by us in advance. (Please note that each piece should not exceed 8" in any dimension.) 

Natalya Seva has a background in oil painting and animation, but it was her discovery of clay that introduced magic into her life. In her creations, she combines the natural richness of clay with other materials like wood, glass, metal to create stunning works that are beautiful, dramatic, and elegant. See more of Natalya's work here.

Date: Sunday 5/23/21 and 5/30/21

Time: First class on 5/23: 11:00am-3:00pm

The second meeting on 5/30 will be split into two sessions: 9:30am-12:30pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm. Choose which session you would like when you register.

Location: Still Life Studio

850 Pico Blvd

Santa Monica, CA 90405

Skill level: Intermediate to advanced

Provided: 8 lbs of Babu porcelain, terra sigillata and a brush for application, horse hair

Masks and social distancing are required at all times at the studio.

Cancellations made 4 or more days before the start of the workshop will be refunded. A 50% refund or 50% credit toward another class or workshop will be given for cancellations made fewer than 4 full days before the start date.