Rita works mainly in stoneware. Most work is thrown on the wheel and fired to 1260ºC in an oxidising atmosphere in a top loader electric kiln. Other pieces are coil built, using coarsely grogged crank clay, or made of slabs, allowing exploration of texture and surface decoration.  

 

 

 

 

Her pottery consists of individual functional pieces including bowls, vases, spheres, plates, and mugs, and is noted for its simplicity, and clean and classical form.

 

 

 

A variety of clays is used, producing a buff/grey or speckled body which reacts with the oxides and glazes. 

The pottery is fired twice and decorated using a variety of methods, including brush and resist decoration, scratched patterns through slip, using carbonates and oxides of copper, cobalt, iron and manganese. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The glazes used are ready mixed, powdered, or brush on, and include light oatmeal, blue grey, copper and iron chun, fjiord blue, orange, and tenmoku, producing colours ranging from pale muted tones, and soft warm browns, to vibrant blues, reds, and black with satin and shiny finishes.

 

 The glazes are sprayed, brushed on, or dipped and applied in layers.