Ceramic artist Morgan Harris balances control and serendipity when using crystalline glazes on thrown porcelain vessels. See more of his work by visiting his website.
#1200 Crystalline Glaze Vase, 11.75” x 11.25”
How does one tame nature, to seize the soul of the natural world and transform it into our will? We can’t. We can merely draw on its essence for a time and entice it to do our bidding.
#1572 Crystalline Glaze Vase, 9.25” x 9”
In my youth I would have argued such nonsense. As I grew older the realization became clearer. When I began an exploration of crystalline glazes that truism hit me smack between the eyes.
#1673 Crystalline Glaze Vase, 6.25” x 5.75”
I am a studio potter working with macro-crystalline zinc/silicate glazes on wheel thrown porcelain pottery. My primary focus is marrying the difficult and fickle, yet stunning, crystalline glazes to interpretations of classical Greek and Roman vase and bottle forms.
#1500 Crystalline Glaze Vase, 11.5” x 11.75”
Crystalline glaze, in my opinion, has a sentience that delights in befuddling mankind.
#1501 Crystalline Glaze Vase, 5.75” x 9.50”
Those of us who are foolish enough to try to subdue it soon learn that we can only loosely direct the result we hope to achieve. Mother Nature takes over and decides where the crystals form, how many will survive the process, how big they will be, the shape, and even the color and hue.
#1499 Crystalline Glaze Vase, 4.25” x 9”
Sometimes “She” decides not to provide crystals at all; sometimes so profuse the crystals grow roughly out of the glaze. Fortunately, I have learned to appreciably curtail those outcomes.
#1297 Crystalline Glaze Vase, 13” x 10.75”
I work meticulously to provide an elegant canvas, the porcelain vessel. I mix the chemicals and oxides that form the glaze to exacting standards and apply it precisely and consistently. Then it is nature’s turn to make of my work what it will.
#1664 Crystalline Glaze Oil Lamp, 5” x 5.5”
When providence produces a particularly stunning piece, or even with the occasional failure, I am driven to learn and pursue mastery.
#1477 Crystalline Glaze Vase, 5.5” x 7”
Through my website I have sold work to collectors all across the United States and in several foreign countries. I also display and sell at galleries and juried fine art and craft festivals throughout North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina.
#1555 Crystalline Glaze Vase, 5.75” x 8.5”
When the kiln Gods and I work in harmony, the outcome is spectacular. Prismatic, optically active crystals floating on a sea of color lure me back into the studio for another bout with nature.
Artist Morgan Harris invites you to follow him on Instagram and Facebook.
I love your work!! It would be lovely to figure the crystals and techniques for creating such great pieces of artistry.