Saratoga News

Photograph by Robert Scheer

William Sawhill uses an oxidation technique that allows zinc crystals to grow in the glaze.

Ceramics sparkle at the Aegis Gallery

Process sounds like chemistry

By Shari Kaplan

Although the process sounds more like a chemistry experiment than an artist's creative endeavor, the end result of Bill Sawhill's craftsmanship is a thing of beauty that belies its complicated origins. Through May 24, the Sunnyvale resident's handmade ceramic items are the featured exhibit at Aegis Gallery, located at 14531 Big Basin Way, Unit 2.

Filling the front room are large, medium and small plates, large and small bowls, pitchers, "posy pots" and vases in a range of shapes, sizes and styles. Sawhill favors a spectrum of pastel shades and earth tones, glazing his porcelain pieces in orange, yellow, green, turquoise, blue, mauve, silver, beige and white.

Covering each of the vessels are delicate crystalline patterns that resemble circular, miniature snowflakes. Just like a litter of spotted dalmatian puppies, each one has a distinctive pattern and is different from all the others.

A retired engineer, Sawhill says he first became interested in the field of ceramics in 1976, when his son took a class on the topic in high school; the enthusiasm passed from son to father.

"Being a chemical engineer, it was fun to become involved with his homework about glaze formulation. A year later, he went off to college and left the potter's wheel and the electric kiln in the garage," Sawhill explains of his early inspirations.

"I taught myself to throw pots and took up the hobby. When I retired in 1986, I had time to do in-depth studies about crystal development in ceramic glazes and have specialized in it ever since."

Sawhill forms and fires vessels out of high-density porcelain clay in his garage studio, which he shares with the family washer and dryer. His glaze formula comprises finely ground silica and zinc oxides in a water suspension. Joining them are other oxides and metals, along with bits of ground glass and what Sawhill describes as "dibbles and dabs of secret ingredients which I think I've discovered."

He then refires the pieces at approximately 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit. After the heat has been reduced to 1,900 degrees, the pieces must remain in the kiln for four hours in order for the zinc orthosilicate crystals to grow and form their beautifully unique patterns. All of Sawhill's glazes are free of toxic lead, barium and cadmium and are dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

Upon leaving the room dedicated to Sawhill's crystalline creations, visitors can wander through other rooms to check out what else is new at the gallery this month. Among the other works of art are travel photography by Los Gatan Nancy Jo Lopp and Saratogans Mel and Ronnie Rabedeau; recycled and cast-paper vessels by Los Gatan Jeanne Tillman, porcelain teapots and vases by Jacqueline Butts of Ben Lomond, watercolors by Bill Fravel of Davenport and jewelry by Sandra Ellen Bradshaw of Felton.

The exhibit runs through May 24. Aegis Gallery hours are Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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