Rick de la Cruz Rick's introduction to ceramics came at an early age and began in his own backyard. Rick would dazzle his parents with the small sculptures he created using clay he dug up. While his parents were impressed with his creativity, they were not as intrigued by his interest in playing with fire. Rick, however, would later combine these hobbies into one love - raku firing. This ancient Japanese method of firing, developed during the 16th century, provided tea masters with bowls that were simple and unique in beauty. Unpredictable by nature, artists develop personal raku firing methods to reach their own desired outcomes. Rick begins his firing process by placing glazed pieces into the kiln until the temperature reaches 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Using tongs, he transfers the piece into a lidded chamber filled with combustible materials such as newspaper, leaves or sawdust. The contained carbon atmosphere penetrates the clay body, creating a smoke black finish. The glazed surfaces introduced to carbon undergo a chemical change which produces Rick's recognizably vivid iridescent or mottled finishes.