"Little Blue" is a wheel-thrown and raku-fired vessel created by Crystal Shaulis, an Angioma Alliance member and BFA student at Western Michigan University's Gwen Frostic School of Art. Crystal suffered a bleed in an inoperable brainstem cavernous angioma in 2010 that interrupted her art school career. She persevered to complete her associate's degree in 2012 and is now creating one-of-a-kind artwork in a variety of media in her prestigious BFA program.

As the winning bidder, you will enjoy this one-of-a-kind raku-fired, ‘Little Blue’ that is not only blue, but coppery and black due to the traditional raku firing process. It is raku’s unpredictable results and intense color that attract modern potters, as these patterns and color result from the harsh cooling process and the amount of oxygen that is allowed to reach the pottery.  Depending on what effect the artist wants, the pottery is either instantly cooled in water, cooled slowly in the open air, or placed in a barrel filled with combustible material, such as newspaper, covered, and allowed to smoke. Water immediately cools the pottery, stopping the chemical reactions of the glaze and fixing the colors. The combustible material results in smoke, which stains the unglazed portions of the pottery black. The amount of oxygen that is allowed during the firing and cooling process affects the resulting color of the glaze and the amount of crackle. Little Blue is 4.5" diameter and 7" tall

According to USA Today, Western Michigan University’s Gwen Frostic School of Art, is ranked among the best fine arts schools.  Its namesake, Gwen Frostic, was a famous artist and alumna who became Western Michigan University's most generous benefactor. Frostic was widely known since the 1950s for her block print art. She died in her longtime home in Benzonia, Michigan, where she operated Presscraft Papers, Gwen Frostic Prints of Benzonia, a Michigan landmark.

Enjoy this piece by itself or with some lovely spring flowers.  Raku exudes a peaceful quality all its own!

Additional background on the Artist: Crystal has been awarded many scholarships and grants, including the Angie Gayman Carmer Scholarship for outstanding art students, and additional awards for her works in student shows. She spent this past summer in Italy studying the history of bookbinding and printmaking. She is also an intern at the Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, a nonprofit organization created as a community workshop and educational center dedicated to furthering the arts of book design and printing, fine printmaking, papermaking, bookbinding, and creative writing. She has also exhibited nationally and internationally. If you would like to view more of Crystal’s works, please go to the following website: www.behance.net/crystalshaulis