Susan Beecher: Wood Fired Pottery

Susan Beecher, with text from Bruce Dehnert, Barbara Ravage, and Grace Sullivan

For Susan Beecher, a ceramics instructor and a widely respected and nationally recognized pottery maker, a childhood fascination with clay eventually became her life's work. Ms. Beecher's new book examines her journey, notes her most pivotal experiences and provides a helpful how-to on woodfiring, a labor intensive kiln technique.

With more than 200 color photographs throughout the text, the intricate shapes, bright colors, and stunning portrayal of nature in Ms. Beecher's works illuminate the pages. In addition, Beecher uses clear, step-by-step, photo-by-photo descriptions to detail the construction of her own kiln, "Lucy" in Greene County, in the Catskills, as well as to take the reader through the wood firing process, from loading the kiln to removing the fired pots, and to share techniques for throwing, shaping and finishing clay. Also included are recipes for glazes and slips.