Cosmic Tea Dust over Rainforest by Jessica Cagle

Fantastic Cosmic Tea Dust over Rainforest by Jessica Cagle

This mug by Jessica Cagle explores the dramatic interaction of AMACO Cosmic Tea Dust over Rainforest on Rocky Mountain Dover clay. Fired to Cone 6, the piece begins with Rainforest x3 covering the lower section, while Cosmic Tea Dust x5 is layered over the upper two-thirds and throughout the interior. Where the glazes overlap, a bright band of color forms between the deep teal base and the dark, speckled surface above, creating a natural transition that draws the eye around the form.

How Cosmic Tea Dust over Rainforest Behaves at Cone 6

The character of Cosmic Tea Dust over Rainforest comes from the contrast between movement and texture. Rainforest develops into a rich blue-green field with soft tonal variation, while Cosmic Tea Dust produces a dark surface scattered with metallic speckles. At the meeting point, the chemistry of the two glazes creates a vivid golden line that appears almost illuminated. This narrow band becomes the focal point of the composition, separating the cool lower section from the darker upper layer.

Layering Cosmic Tea Dust over Rainforest

The success of Cosmic Tea Dust over Rainforest depends on generous application. In this example, Jessica Cagle used approximately three coats of Rainforest followed by multiple coats of Cosmic Tea Dust to achieve an even surface and a strong overlap zone. The combination demonstrates how layering can produce distinct visual regions while maintaining harmony across the piece. On Dover clay, the result resembles a distant horizon at dusk, where deep water meets a darkening sky beneath a glowing line of light.

Credit: Jessica Cagle