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CERAMICS 1
kaitlyn mead 2023-24
Useful Piece
Process: To start, I chose a plate for a slump mold that was the size I was looking for, then I rolled out a slab and trimmed/shaped it to my liking. I used another peice of the slab I rolled to form the little fish in the middle, then i scored and slipped that on. The next class, I soothed it all out and carved the sides so they were smooth, and put it on the greenware shelf. When it was done being fired, I began glazing and doing the dots which took a while.
Reflection: I enjoyed making this piece, it's simple but cute, good for a little breakfast or snack plate, and even jewelry. This was my first successful plate so I'm pretty proud of it and made another of the same size but a different style right after as an extra project.
Alebrije
Process: I rolled a slab and cut it into a fish shape, along with adding an eye. In the next class, I mixed up underglazes and pained all class and put it on the greenware shelf. I had come back after the weekend to find that the tail had snapped off, so I had to crush and scrap it because it was already bone dry. In that class, I made and painted a smaller version and when it was done firing I went over it with clear glaze.
Reflection: I really loved making the first fish, then when it broke the fun sort of left in making the second one, but I think it turned out pretty good, I could definitely do better though. I would love to make another alebrije in the future, maybe a type of cat, or a little fruit bat would be cute with all the colors.
Mask
Process: I picked a plastic oval-shaped bowl to use as my slump mold then, I laid a slab over the bottom of it. for the face, I was sort of inspired by tiki, but then it changed into easter island statues. I decided to add a mole and wavy things for more texture in the design because, without it, it felt very empty. After it dried I smoothed and carved away places I didn't like as well as rounding out edges or defining curves. I then glazed it with a dark blue and a lighter blue for the dots. I'm pretty sure I used Mayco's "Moody Blue" and "501 Blues"
Reflection: There's really not a lot I would change about this piece. I enjoyed the proscess and I'm really happy with how it turned out. It's one of my personal favorites of my pieces and I get a lot of complements on it. I think that the only thing I would hope to change, is the fact that poeple always say it looks like squidwards house from spongebob, and now I can't unsee that.
Current artist inspired
Artist:
Frank Stella - American painter and sculptor
born: May 12, 1936 died: May 4, 2024
styles: Minimalism, Modern, Contemporary Arts
Process: I used a water bowl as a slump mold for this piece. I rolled out a slab and smoothed it over plastic. Then I formed some handles and scored and slipped them on. After it had dried to leather hard, I carved the round shapes and filled them in with paint, cleaning up along the way. I tried to match underglazes with the colors of the painting I was inspired by. When that was fired, I did clear glaze over the colors, and I have to check the firing ticket but I think I used country blue Western glaze over the rest.
Reflection: I wish I had taken more time on this piece, It's cute but it ould honestly look so much better. I think I wanted to just get it done and because of that, it doesnt show a lot of skill. I am glad that I chose the artist that I did though, because he died of this past weekend.
Small bust
Process: This is the only process photo I have for the small bust, due to the fact that I did not go any further than this. I made it and disliked it, I don't think it works with the style I like to do and I had a hard time continuing with this project. I left it on the shelf for a few weeks just debating on whether I wanted to continue or not, then I decided to just scrap it.
Reflection: I do not like making people. It never goes well for me. I had planned to make this an alien, but it ended up annoying me so much that I stopped. I need to practice technique when it comes to faces and busts, but for now... 2/10 will not be doing it again.
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