Linda Schulthess,
is afine artist, ceramist, and digital photographer began creating at an early age. Recognition for her talents came quickly-—in one art contest she won a motorcycle she could not ride because she was only 14.
Linda’s creative skills continue to be on the cutting edge, where she seeks new styles and methods to portray her art. She is a member of the Orange Art Association and the Anaheim Art Association, where she has received numerous awards for her art achievements, including “Best of Show” in an Anaheim Art Assoc. annual juried Show.
On display and for purchase at Jana’s RedRoom are some of her Raku ceramics:
RAKU:
It is raku’s unpredictable results and intense color that attract modern potters. These patterns and color result from the harsh cooling process and the amount of oxygen that is allowed to reach the pottery. Depending on what effect the artist wants, the pottery is either instantly cooled in water, cooled slowly in the open air, or placed in a barrel filled with combustible material, such as newspaper, covered, and allowed to smoke. Water immediately cools the pottery, stopping the chemical reactions of the glaze and fixing the colors. The combustible material results in smoke, which stains the unglazed portions of the pottery black. The amount of oxygen that is allowed during the firing and cooling process affects the resulting color of the glaze and the amount of crackle.
Unlike traditional Japanese raku, which is mainly hand built bowls of modest design, western raku tends to be vibrant in color, and comes in many shapes and sizes. Western raku can be anything from an elegant vase, to an eccentric abstract sculpture.
