Earth
Wood and
Fire is Laura and Jim McCaul. Laura loves to carve the human
figure, animals, birds, plants and abstract figures. Each clay
carving is finished using her own version of a Native American process
called blackware. She applies a refined slip called terra
sigillata to the carved clay. After a bisque firing to make the
pieces functional and washable, she fires them outdoors with wood in a
three barrel kiln. When the fire is hot enough, the space between
the middle and inner barrels is filled with sawdust and covered.
The trapped carbon is permanently absorbed into the clay producing
unique earthy tones and flashings. Laura's work has received
numerous national awards and is part of the Minnesota Historical
Society's permanent collection. Jim builds fine furniture and
frames featuring Laura's blackware tiles. Jim and Laura live and
work at their home on a lake in the woods of northwestern
Wisconsin. Their work is available through art fairs,
galleries, private commissions and their website.
715-866-8410
Shown
is the
recent Owatonna Arts Center acquisition titled "Marsh Collection"
featuring the clay carvings of Laura McCaul. They are set into
Jim McCaul's fine walnut furniture, consisting of a console,
chair rail banding, and mirror. Beveled and leaded glass doors
leading into a gallery can be seen reflected in the mirror.