“There’s what, now?”

I’d never heard of downdraft incense until my friend asked me to make him “a cool incense burner.” After 20 years of friendship, I knew his idea of '“cool” and thought it would be fun. “Cone or stick?” I text back. He replies, “Yes.” The next text reads, “or there’s this” with a link to video where smoke trailed down a sculpture like a waterfall.

Smoke that pools downward? Yeah, it kinda broke my brain. Heat rises, therefore smoke rises. Except when it doesn’t.

Welcome to the Downdraft Project where I explore the ways I can mix “cool” ceramic art with the movement and pooling action of downdraft incense smoke.

Fun fact? I’m sensitive to strong scents so testing these for proper movement often involves using a respirator and a lot of airing out the studio after. No fans during testing. They mess with the results. But the effect is so cool.