Over the last 15 years in addition to my earthenware pottery I have been making woodfired stoneware working with Marcus O’Mahony in Lismore, County Waterford, Ireland. This work is very different to my earthenware pots. Form and texture play a much larger influence compared to slipware. In 2017 I helped Nigel Webster build a woofired kiln in Argay, Scotland @gledfieldmill pottery. We fire this kiln two or three times a year.
Woodfiring adds a completely new dimension and complexity where the characteristics of the pots are more determined by the types of glazes and idiosyncrasy of the wood fired kiln. The thrill of firing a wood fired kiln and the anticipation of opening it at the end of a firing is difficult to match in the world of ceramics. I have learnt many new skills and techniques some of which I have translated into my earthenware pots. One consequence of working with Marcus is that I have been making less functional ware. However, the heart of my potting is still to make pots that can be used every day and are attractive to the user.
David Mason Pottery 
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