David Todd

I've been a potter for 15 years and have set up a studio and gallery in Sundre, Alberta. Many people have commented on the beauty of the area and I have learned to see and appreciate the natural wonder of nature. Not only am I an artist, but I've spent 30 years rafting the Upper Red Deer River as a tour guide. I strive to portray the beauty of the river and the Rocky Mountains in my work. I use a combination of electric kilns and primitive firing to produce this unique style of pottery. Recent experimentation has taken me into the dynamic and exciting raku process.

My specialty is Barrel Firing which is a variation of the primitive pit firing method of our ancestors. My method of barrel firing uses a 45 gallon oil drum filled with alternate layers of pottery and wood mulch (wood chips, sawdust and bark). I then cover it all with a lid to keep the smoke in and concentrated. The additional use of salt, fertilizer, steel wool, brass and copper wires, leaves and aluminum foil in the process creates an added variety of unique designs.

A firing usually lasts about 24 hours with the barrel smoldering away the whole time. Because the wood acts as a support for the pots at various levels in the barrel, as the wood burns away the pieces can fall and crack and possibly break. So there are losses to the process. Also, due to heat, stress cracks can appear, just like in raku. I consider this all character lines that enhance the piece of work. Besides my infatuation with barrel firing, I've spent many years developing my own glazes using ashes from local wood products. I also make some functional stoneware using food safe glazes as well as other "interesting" pieces.

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