A beautiful example of the joy of wood-firing. This bowl has a wonderful display of texture - both visual and physical.
A combination of Ben III's pre-applied Cobalt glaze and the natural ash glaze that develops during a wood firing process, these brilliant blue runny drips are a stunning serendipitous outcome.
Hand-turned by Benjamin Owen IV, seventh-generation potter. Fully functional, this flair bowl is both dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Measuring 10.5”dia. x 2.25”h.
Please Note: What appear to be white spots on the surface are reflections from photo lighting.
Benjamin Wade Owen IV
Benjamin Owen IV (b. 2005) is the youngest child of sixth-generation potter Ben Owen III. Creating with clay is a way for Benjamin to carry on his family’s legacy and connect with his roots. Benjamin’s work has been featured in the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC as well as the Gallery at Grandover in Greensboro, NC.
In 2023, Benjamin graduated from Uwharrie Charter Academy High School in Asheboro, NC before entering Liberty University in Virginia to further his education.
During the summer of 2025, in his Junior year at Liberty, Ben IV completed an internship with the Young America’s Foundation at the National Journalism Center in Washington, D.C.
Currently refining his knowledge in governmental science, policymaking and continuing his passion for investment, Ben IV is a Senior at Liberty University and will graduate with his Baccalaureate degree in 2026. When home on holiday, Ben IV enjoys spending his spare moments turning clay in his family’s studio in Seagrove, N.C.
Multi-Layered Glazes
When Ben was in college, he was introduced to a spraying technique using an air-driven spray gun that some potters use to build up layers of glazes on the clay surface. With some experimenting, he was able to create a variety of finishes using accents of 3 to 4 different colors. A glaze made from ash can be used as a top coat to blend or bleach the underlying colors. Some finishes are a base of an iron yellow with cobalt blue or copper green covering. Other colors of orange to silver can develop from the colors overlapping. No two pieces are exactly alike.
Ash Glazes
Ash glazes allow us to “let the kiln be the paintbrush” by relying on the wood-firing process as the glazing agent. Most pieces dedicated to Ash glazing are placed in the kiln with little to no glaze applied to the exterior. During the firing process, the wood is stirred occasionally in the firebox to give flight to the flakes of ash that are produced during the firing. Airborne flakes cling to the exposed areas of the pot and accumulate over time. As the kiln reaches 2300° Fahrenheit, the accumulated ashes begin to melt and form a natural glaze. When the wood-burning kiln is heated to over 2400°, the wood ash liquefies and runs down the side of the pot like honey.
Ash may also be layered over other glazes. For example, when Ben was in college, he was introduced to a spraying technique using an air-driven spray gun that some potters use to build up layers of glazes on the clay surface. With some experimenting, he was able to create a variety of finishes using accents of 3 to 4 different colors. A glaze made from ash can be used as a top coat to blend or bleach the underlying colors. Some finishes are a base of an iron yellow with cobalt blue or copper green covering. Other colors of orange to silver can develop from the colors overlapping. No two pieces are exactly alike. Ben frequently places these in the wood kiln to accentuate the colors.
This piece is hand-signed by Benjamin Owen IV with the year made (2025).