Stiles in Clay

Chris Stiles creates a line of ceramic birds that possesses an unmatched and unique palette of colors through a process called pit firing. When putting together a group of birds, they make it a point to create a family. This firing process is one of the oldest known techniques used by man. The birds are slowly eased into the fire and covered with wood, sawdust, seaweed and other burnable materials. As the flames and smoke lick the surface of the birds, rich colors start to appear. When the birds are pulled out of the smoldering fire, the individual personality of each bird is revealed.