Ocean Drift over Blue Dragon Fruit Clay by Nancy Fields

Ocean Drift on Dragon Fruit Blue Stoneware

This stoneware set by Nancy Fields highlights Ocean Drift on IMCO Dragon Fruit Blue clay, fired with a slow cool schedule to Cone 6.5. Three coats of Ocean Drift cover the exterior surfaces, creating soft transitions between pale blue, silver-grey, and deeper ocean tones. The glaze develops a flowing appearance that emphasizes the contours of the mug and bowl while allowing the character of the clay body to remain visible beneath the surface.

The Dragon Fruit Blue clay contributes fine speckling that appears through the glaze after firing. These darker specks add texture and visual depth, especially where Ocean Drift breaks over edges and gathers in recessed areas. The result is a surface that feels layered and varied, with subtle changes in color and tone across each piece.

How Ocean Drift Develops During Firing

One of the most distinctive qualities of Ocean Drift is its ability to create movement without heavy glaze buildup. The glaze settles into soft vertical patterns that resemble water flowing across stone, while the slow cool firing schedule encourages additional depth and variation. Inside the mug, three coats of Downpour provide a darker blue interior that complements the lighter exterior glaze.

This combination demonstrates how Ocean Drift responds to texture, form, and firing conditions. On Dragon Fruit Blue clay, the glaze produces a calm palette of layered blues and greys that works particularly well on functional pottery. The interaction between glaze, clay body, and firing schedule creates surfaces that remain interesting from every angle while preserving the handmade character of the work.

• Clay body: Dragon Fruit clay (IMCO) Blue
• 3x Ocean Drift
• 3x Downpour on inside of mug.
• Slow cool, ^6.5.

Credit: Nancy Fields