Clayfolk Art Show!! This is Vera Rogers: Pit-Fired Vase

This is Day 5 of my Clayfolk Art Show exhibit! I started with Lorene Senesac, Rhonda Hampton, Steve Kirkland and Bruce Finch.

Tonight's featured artist is Vera Rogers, who specializes in pit-fired sculptures, vases and other lovely pottery. Unfortunately, I didn't get the opportunity to speak with Vera, but my husband did, and assured me that she would be fine with me taking pictures of her artwork.

Steve described Vera to be a very friendly, wonderful lady who he thought was very cool and interesting.

Vera has a very interesting way of firing her pottery. She has a large, open-topped pit, lined with blocks, and she creates a fire directly on top of her pottery. She wraps elements around her pottery to create the color; this could be anything from steel wool to brass, as well as many other elements. The fire itself has different things added to it, which may include anything from manure to, believe it or not, cat food! All these elements release different minerals which are absorbed by the clay to impart the colors seen in the final piece. (Thanks to Steve for relating the conversation he had with Vera.) I'm really sorry that I didn't get a chance to meet Vera personally, as Steve tells me she was one cool cat! :) I do have a few pictures though, and I hope that you will take a look at all 6 of the images I'm including for her! :)

If you would like to contact Vera Rogers, she can be reached by phone: 541-825-3478

This image was taken on November 19, 2011 at the Clayfolk Show & Sale in Medford, Oregon. For more information about Clayfolk, please visit their website: www.clayfolk.org/