As an artist, Elyse enjoys creating functional pieces meant to be used and appreciated daily. Drawing inspiration from natural rock formations found across northern and southern CA, atmospheric gas firings create depth and variation in her high-iron clay bodies. When a kiln is starved of oxygen it goes into a state called “Reduction”. Because fire needs oxygen to burn it pulls it from metallic oxides found in the clay that are willing to part with it. The metallic oxides then convert to their metallic form, in this case iron, which acts as a powerful flux creating the beautiful speckles you see on Elyse’s work. Leaving portions of her pieces unglazed is a way of paying tribute to the raw beauty of the clay.