Shawn M. Grove

Ceramics

Wood Fired Pottery
41718 Browns Farm Lane,
Lucketts, VA 20176

Catoctin Region Cluster, 2025 Stop #3

© Shawn M. Grove image copyright protected

Plate
Wood fired/ salt glazed stoneware with sgraffito slip design

Artist's Statement

Wood Fired Pottery

The perception of beauty can be found in nature with its predictable, yet still unpredictable patterns. The beauty of the wood fired process is the creation of a one of a kind piece of work that can never be replicated in its entirety due to the chaotic flux of the fire. Chaos in essence is order disguised within disorder and such is the wood fired process. Utilizing elements of nature including raw earthen clay, ash glaze, wood, and fire, the production of an organically based art form is achievable. I believe strongly in the interaction and experience of humans with art forms, as art in its earliest creations was interwoven with daily life. Wood Fired Pottery with a focus on functional wares achieves these ideals.

Shawn Grove in the Studio
Ceramic Stoneware

Wood Fired Pottery Studio
Ceramic Stoneware

Catenary Arch Kiln
Ceramic Stoneware

Firing the Wood Kiln (Final Salt)
After 36 hours of hand feeding wood into the kiln we input salt into the fire. The salt melts and then vaporizes, breaking down to sodium and chloride. This process melts the silica on the unglazed surfaces of the pot forming a glaze with a texture that resembles an orange peel.
Super Duty Brick

The Excitement of Unloading the Kiln
2022 marked the 20th anniversary for our wood kiln and pottery. After 50 firings, there is still excitement that comes with unloading the kiln.
Super Duty Brick