Richard Mackey, Potter
BA, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 1974
P.O. Box 1331
Alturas, Ca. 96101
(530) 233-3787
BA, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 1974
P.O. Box 1331
Alturas, Ca. 96101
(530) 233-3787
CANYON CREEK POTTERY
CANYON CREEK POTTERY is made in the high desert of Modoc County by Richard Mackey. This pottery is made from stoneware clay formulated with some local clay and then fired to 2300 degrees in a wood-burning kiln. Some of the pieces are unglazed or partially glazed and get their decoration from the effects of the firing. A wood-burning kiln is unique because the fire and ash coming through the kiln have a direct effect on the pots that are being fired. The flames leave their marks on the pots as they flow by and around them. Therefore, the normally grey clay is given a warm brown color. The ashes from the fire-box are swept through the kiln and settle on some of the pots. When the kiln reaches temperature, the ashes, which are mostly silica, melt and adhere to the pottery. Enough ashes can actually form a glaze on the pots. Firing a wood-burning kiln is a long and difficult process (sometimes taking days to finish). The kiln must be stoked properly or it is difficult to get the temperature to rise. The best woods for getting high temperatures are the soft woods like pine, juniper and cedar. They burn quickly and give a long hot flame that reaches to lengths of twenty feet or more.
The glazes are homemade from mostly natural ingredients. One reddish brown glaze is dug from a deposit of volcanic tuff. It is ground to a fine powder and mixed with water and then applied to the pots with nothing else added. Most of the other glazes are combination of feldspar, pine ash, rice straw ash, clay, or volcanic ash. Because of these natural ingredients and the high temperature to which they are fired, the pots are suitable as eating utensils.
Richard Mackey has been a part-time studio potter in Modoc County from 1974 to the present producing mostly functional ware. He has designed and built three wood-burning high-fired kilns, one wood-burning raku kiln, several gas fired raku kilns and a high-fire gas kiln. He is devoted to the development of natural clay and glazes from Modoc County.
The glazes are homemade from mostly natural ingredients. One reddish brown glaze is dug from a deposit of volcanic tuff. It is ground to a fine powder and mixed with water and then applied to the pots with nothing else added. Most of the other glazes are combination of feldspar, pine ash, rice straw ash, clay, or volcanic ash. Because of these natural ingredients and the high temperature to which they are fired, the pots are suitable as eating utensils.
Richard Mackey has been a part-time studio potter in Modoc County from 1974 to the present producing mostly functional ware. He has designed and built three wood-burning high-fired kilns, one wood-burning raku kiln, several gas fired raku kilns and a high-fire gas kiln. He is devoted to the development of natural clay and glazes from Modoc County.
Apprenticeships:
Tamba Pottery Tachikui, Japan, 1972
Working Associations:
The Art Center, Alturas, CA
Teaching Experience:
Introductory to advance classes, Art Center, Alturas 1974-present
Lassen Community College, Extension Classes, Alturas, 1978-present
Rakunion, Canyon Creek Pottery, Alturas, 1994-present
Shows and Exhibits:
1974 Oakland Museum of Arts and Crafts
1978 Klamath Falls Arts Council
2000 Klamath Falls Arts Council
1997-1999 Cliff Scharf Gallery, Sisters, OR
1974-present The Art Center, Alturas
