MEDIUM: CERAMICS, CLAY
Since 1989 it has been our goal to create a unique and pleasing style of pottery emphasizing the surface finish. As a surface treatment, we use alphabet letters and bold swatches of color on traditionally formed ceramic shapes. We work as a team to create our product.
Our signature work, the music pottery, has three distinctive styles. The most popular style involves taking a stoneware vessel or shape and writing on the surface by hand the words to a song. We generally use a black slip, (liquid clay that we pigment with a black stain). We then apply it to the surface using a plastic bottle with a fine point. The finished product is black writing on a white or colored piece creating a raised, textured surface. The second style of our music pottery is done in a completely different fashion. We imprint the words of a song into a wheel thrown or slab constructed white stoneware shape or vessel using antique printing type. After the vessel is dry, it is colored first with pastel tinted slip. Then the vessel is completely covered with black slip. After the slip has dried, we take steel wool and sand down the surface so that the white clay body can be seen and the black and pastel letters remain. The produces a black and white piece with hints of pastel colors. The third variation of the music pottery is multi-colored. We follow the same proceedure described for the second variation using red stoneware clay and layers of pigmented slip to the surface. We will apply up to twenty different layers of color on the surface of the piece. After it is dry, we will take light steel wool and sand the surface to create a translucent multi-colored surface.
We also have created a series of shadow boxes based on the lyrics of rock music. They are made entirely of clay with a few exceptions such as tile lettering and found objects.
Our newest line of pottery includes both hanging tiles and pottery. They are made with raised lettering and have metalic patinas. Unfortunately we don't have any photos available at this time.
We have also created a line of pottery call the Sunset Series. These tiles and vases are done in colors that bring to mind a glorious sunset. They have floral designs and script writing on the surface.
All of our work is lead free, food safe, microwave and dishwasher safe. Upon completion of the processes we use to create our pottery, the pieces are all kiln fired twice to a medium range.
Both Richard and Marlys Kunkel work together in all phases of production to create our pottery.