Wood Fired Ceramics

In her latest work, Greta Ruiz explores the process of wood fired ceramics using a kind of kiln called an Anagama (cave kiln). This ancient clay firing technique takes days of preparation to stack the wood around the kiln, load it with ceramics and then seal it up. Once it is lit the fire must be continually stoked for 3 or 4 days and nights bringing the kiln to extremely high temperatures. As the wood ash builds up inside it creates a natural ash glaze on the pieces.

Functional Stoneware

Greta handbuilds her ceramic dishes using textured slabs of clay. She uses a wide variety of textures including carved wood blocks from Indonesia, shells, lace, and wood grain. The result of this process is that each dish is a one of a kind, unique piece. Greta high fires her pieces which makes them oven, microwave and dishwasher safe.

Sculpture

Greta’s organic stoneware sculptures are inspired by objects from nature, such as plants, seed pods, and the earth’s geography. Greta uses pinch, slab and coil methods in creating her hand built pieces. She uses slips, oxides and under-glazes for color. The pieces are fired in a highfire reduction process. Some pieces undergo multiple firings to achieve desired effects.

Stoneware & Steel

Greta incorporates found steel objects into this body of work. Some pieces use large industrial cogs and metal as bases, others feature delicate metal slivers creating an organic texture by combining them with clay.