Alternative Firings | Raku | Saggar | Horsehair | Obvara
Chicago
Sedona
Tim is now available at Artful Home.
Tim uses natural materials from his garden, including ivy, rose leaves, ferns, and other available organic matter.
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He couples these with hand-crafted terra sigillata and mineral additives.
All pieces are hand thrown on a wheel, and made from durable Raku clay, better suited for temperature shock.
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He may also use horsehair and feathers gifted from his rescue chicken,
Brienne of Tarth.
ART FOR ART
Chicago
Sedona
Chicago
One of a Kind
About Tim
Tim Cornell has been a conceptual artist for over two decades. Tim’s early sculptural works were conceptual sound sculptures, with the idea of controlling space using noise and sound. He received his BFA from UIC in studio arts.
While recovering from a serious illness, Tim discovered pottery as a way to help heal his body and mind.
After getting a handle on throwing and building pieces, Tim quickly became enamored with Raku and low-fire ceramics. He was drawn to the primal and elemental aspects of these kinds of firings. As a result, much of Tim’s time is spent developing new processes, including studying how to formulate his own terra sigillatta, in multiple colors and textures. He is always experimenting with new combustibles to created new and novel results in Saggar and Obvara firings.
Tim’s pieces are not functional, they are art for art’s sake. Each piece is handthrown and unique.
About Tim's Process
Tim uses Raku clay for all his pieces. Raku clay is specially formulated for low-fire ceramics and contains a higher percentage of grog in its mix than the kind of clay used in glazed firings. This percentage of grog creates a more porous clay body that is better able to withstand temperature shock, either high or low.
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Tim has taught himself how to make the elusive slip glaze known as terra sigillata, which is an ancient technique to help create a smooth finish, which he then burnishes for hours. He also adds mason stain to his mixture to create subtle pinks, blues, and greens. Some of these go on to for additional firings, like Saggar, where Tim uses combustibles from around his garden, like ivy, ferns, and rose bush leaves. He finishes many of his pieces with horsehair and feathers gifted from his pet hen, Brienne of Tarth.
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Tim has developed new techniques by combining traditional techniques and organic combustibles in Saggar and Obvara firings. He continues to experiment with new minerals or other additives, and new processes.