Flux Experiment Over and Under by Alison Lehman Hori

Two Experimental Tumblers by Alison Lehman Hori

This test explores how AMACO Seaweed interacts with three highly stable glazes – Wasabi Celadon, Deep Sea Celadon, and Mayco Purple Gloss – when applied in different layering sequences. The goal is to observe the effects of flux movement and color blending when Seaweed is placed either beneath or on top of these celadon glazes.

The test follows a consistent application process:

• Stable glaze was applied in three even layers (x3)
• Seaweed was applied in two layers (x2)

On the right cup, 2 coats of Seaweed were layered underneath the celadons, allowing the transparent quality of the celadons to reveal any textural or color shifts caused by the fluxing nature of Seaweed. Inside this cup, Seaweed was also used to coat the interior, offering a view of its characteristics in a contained space.

On the left cup, the layering was reversed—Seaweed was applied on top of the celadons. This arrangement allows Seaweed’s movement and melting behavior to be more pronounced, potentially creating dynamic drips, pooling, or breaking effects. Inside this cup, Deep Sea Celadon was used alone to provide a controlled comparison.

By testing these two approaches side by side, the experiment reveals how layering order impacts glaze interaction, surface movement, and color development, providing useful insights for ceramicists looking to refine their glazing techniques.

Credit: Alison Lehman Hori