Kim Peterson

Peterson Pottery

I am a ceramic artist. I play Clay, and I have for well over 20 years. When I first started, as a grad student in New Mexico, I started with small, low fire, hand built pieces. Underglazes and eventually pit firing. 

I took a kiln building class at the Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM. I had my first attempt at throwing and Raku firing ceramics.

I moved to Colorado. I found the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. Classes in hand building led to throwing. I learned kiln loading, bisque and high fire reduction firings. One week per class we had the option for Raku firing a piece. I became a studio rat. For 7 years, whenever I wasn’t teaching, or taking a class, I was at the studio. I learned from my instructors and students with different approaches and styles.  I took workshops when I could afford them, including business, ethics and how to critique my work. 

The Arvada Ceramic Arts Guild was created, and I was a charter member. I was still teaching, and the Guild allowed me greater freedom to play clay. 27/7 availability. There were some days and night that I didn’t see home, because I was on a firing binge. I continued taking workshops and continued to learn new tricks of the trade.

I retired from teaching. My wife and I moved to Greeley, CO, and now I play clay at home.  I do some firing at Smoke Stack Pottery in Fort Collins. 

My specialty is Raku Fired ceramics. This is not to say I don’t do functional work, but I really love Raku. I started with copper based glazes, Experimented with various recipes until I found the two basic glazes I use. I learned about horse hair Raku firing. There was  pit firing or sager options, but I like Raku. I’ve been firing horse hair for about 20 years. Eight years or so ago, someone asked me, Your horse hair is great, but now what? I tried many combustibles, and found feathers! I also fire “Naked Raku,” another Raku firing process without glazes.

As a teacher, doing art festivals and show is a summer time thing. I would do from 2 to 10 shows during summer break. Some out of state. Now that I am retired, I am expanding my area and time span for shows. I am also selling on line.