Artists Dave and Boni Deal are putting on their first show of the year — and the first in their hometown of Camas in several years. It started Friday at Second Story Gallery in the Camas Public Library.
The exhibit, “Dave and Boni Deal: Raku Ceramics & Paintings,” runs through March 26. It will feature 30 pieces of raku ceramics and paintings, ranging from small batik raku bowls to triptychs and platters for the wall to Boni’s favorite piece, a large “Egret Ewer” over 4 feet tall.
The name raku comes from a method of firing originating in 16th century Japan. The Deals’ ceramic creations are fired in a 2,000-degree kiln, then immediately plunged into a barrel of fir boughs and other organic materials. The high heat, rapid cooling, flames and smoke throughout the process are what give the Deals’ pieces their crackled glaze and metallic accents.
The couple have been working full time in the ceramic art of raku for more than 40 years, creating each of their pieces together. When they first met as members of a mountain climbing club, another of the Deals’ shared passions, Boni noted that they were both passionate about art throughout their lives. They decided to combine their skills after getting together.
“Before we met, I loved painting and illustrating, and Dave was intrigued by ceramics. We combined the two when we married,” said Boni.
Dave focuses on forming clay at the potter’s wheel, glazing and firing, while Boni draws surface imagery. She has also recently began to paint canvasses with acrylics in a water-color style made to compliment the pottery.
Dave said he was drawn to raku because it’s physical and exciting, and because he appreciates the dramatic firing using such a hot kiln. Boni said they each love the unique effects that can be achieved only through raku, such as the smoky iridescence, crackle, and unpredictable colors.
The Deals both say that working together makes the final project more gratifying, if not occasionally stressful.
“It’s rewarding to combine our strengths and talents into one piece, thereby creating something beyond what we could do alone,” Dave said. Adds Boni: “We’ve been married 42 years, so of course we’ve had some conflicts about how to do things ‘correctly,’ but we work together better all the time.”
Lifelong residents of the Pacific Northwest, the Deals remain inspired by their natural surroundings and the artistic community fostered here. “Like many Northwest artists, we tend to be individualistic, but also we do enjoy the cool art community that is evolving and growing in the Portland-Vancouver area,” said Boni.
“The incredible Pacific Northwest environment is what our work is all about,” Boni said. “As hikers and backpackers, we love the God-given beauty that surrounds us and we try to reflect it in our work.”
The show is open during the library’s regular hours, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. More information about the artists and the gallery can be found at yellowleaf.org/raku and secondstorygallery.net.
