| Anglen
is Artisan of the month
For the month of November the Prairie Community Library is featuring artisan, Jean Anglen who practices a firing and glazing technique that started more than four centuries ago in Japan-- The Raku firing of pottery. Her items are now on display at the Library and may be purchased. What an opportunity for a very special Birthday or Christmas gift. She uses a raku process of glazing greenware pieces with raku bisque and firing it in a kiln that can be opened when still at high temperatures. When the kiln is opened, she places shredded newspaper, straw, leaves, dried flowers and other burnable material in a reduction chamber to attain rich colors, textures and patterns. The colors, textures and patterns are a result of how the piece reacts in the reduction chamber and water cooling processes, not painted on or even planned! In conjunction with raku firing, she enjoys creating horsehair pottery. The same equipment and most of the process is the same as raku, yet horsehair pottery produces something expressly unique. Static electricity in the hair and the extreme heat makes the hair dance around the pot where it adheres to produce squiggly lines and smoke marks. Each piece is one of a kind. Jean was born in Wisconsin on a dairy farm. After college she settled in Seattle and had a successful career in electronics manufacturing where they made aircraft parts for Boeing and NASA space program. Upon retiring she settled in Newport Oregon where she owned and operated a youth Hostel for 12 years. After selling the business in Newport and relocating in Paha, Washington she pursued an interest in pottery. It was during this time she visited the Navajo Indian reservation where they have made Traditional pottery for over forty years. She had the opportunity to observe the way they built and haired their pottery. She returned home and begin practicing their technique. The results of her endeavors are on display and may be purchased throughout the month. Considered a new comer to the community, Jean moved to Cottonwood in 2013 when she married Eldon Anglen after meeting him on ChristianMingle.com. Welcome to the community Jean and thank you for sharing your beautiful display of PAHATTERY. An apology to Neil Wassmuth, winner of the Brew contest. A wrong name was previously submitted. 
Several of Jean Anglen’s pottery items on display this month at the Library. |
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