Oh this week.

Missed a blog during firing. Oops. I'd consider the Woodfire a success because I didn't lose many pieces. I used more celadon in this firing and really liked the results from that. Most of the shino turned too orange this firing. I was hoping for more white clear with dark marks like in previous firings. I'm not sure if it was the reduction cool or the placement of my stuff or that the glaze was just thinner this time. I lost most of daltons drawing so the leftovers that didn't make it in the woodfire were fired with cone 10 as I would have put them in the woodfire. I wanted to have some peices that showed the drawings since they mostly disappeared and didn't want to risk losing them again.
I'm in the process of making teeter totters for BFA. I've collected a tire and lots of logs and driftwood for them and have to have a few made for crit Tuesday to get feedback for my meeting with KMAC curator on wed. I really need to make a few more pieces before wed as well to Gove joey some options. Wanting to have a few mugs plates and bowls made with colored mason stained wedged porcelain. I'm thinking the colors might appeal to him more displayed with some of daltons playdoh pieces. Well find out.

Sam Marissa and I have formed a group for the installation project. I'm trying to come up with a project we can do that won't require us to make a lot of new stuff so that we can get more work ready for the next Woodfire and the BFA show while creating something we can talk about in the future that still applies to all of our work. I've considered a few things:
1) we have clay taking over and enveloping different parts of campus...maybe some of the clock tower maybe some part of some campus signs (something that would represent the academic) ....this would reflect the concept of clay taking over our lives and our schooling.
2) we use dried scraps and leftover pieces that didn't make the cut (sam's giant pots that cracked all to hell and scrap post-it that have cracked and chipped and broken and cracked fired pieces from the woodfire of mine. I also have lots of trimmings and cups that got too dry to trim and attach handles to that I've crushed to fit in my scraps trash bag. The concept for this one is still pretty lose ill have to talk to the group more to formulate a concept that more directly applies to all of us. For me it would be using what's already been used and rejected to make something new and exciting. This would give rejected clay new life and a second chance. I think this could apply to all of us because clay in its natural form in the earth isn't generally thought of as useful (i know sam has been finicking with it but) you can't really plant flowers in it or start a garden where ever it naturally occurs because its too hard to dig up and collects the water instead of the plant. I'm thinking using something that's rejected (referencing natural clay...although a few different clay types will be used) that has again been rejected (because of cracking or holes being trimmed into the underside of a bowl etc) and reclaiming them as something that can still be used or that is still significant. This would be saying that even though something does not meet the requirements for the originally intended thing... those pieces still tell a story of process, learning, and trying...something all three of us do on a daily basis. As far as where to install I'm thinking somewhere where these scraps can take over. Again saying these processes take over the work and our lives. Or having them simply on a pedistal saying that even these discarded things are important to all of our making processes.

Still tinkering with more ideas in my mind. I say if we all have two different ideas it should be easy to come up with something. Waiting to hear ideas from the rest of the group.

Here's a few pics from the past couple weeks. I've already posted pics of tajines. Here's the woodfire. And one of my wood hunting excursion for the BFA this weekend. I'm still working on sanding and will have pics up of project pieces after the firing asap.

Tajine and Woodfire

I've had a lot going on this week. Trying to get everything that I want woodfired made and working on tajines. I've made two so far because of everything else I made for the Woodfire. I like the tajine on the left in the pic. I like the wider top instead of it being skinny but I want to make one with the lid walls straighter instead of bowed out. Ill try to make the next two like that. Then move on to a double tajine or a tajine with a divider in the middle. I really hope to get some mini microwaveable stoneware tajines. I'm thinking something like a soup bowl I made a while back with a lug handle but with a tajine type lid. The lids have proved challenging to trim because of the tall cone shape and I broke a piece of the rim off of one. I was able to reattach it but I'm not sure if it'll hold. Flameware is supposed to be finnikie so we'll see.

I was also wanting to make something for bfa that correlates with the color of playdoh and how Dalton tends to mix the colors. If I choose to use those pieces I'd like some of my pieces to incorporate the same colors and twisted color patters that come with mixing playdoh. I saw an article a while back about layering colored blocks of clay and compressing them with a rolling pin to make slabs. Then using the slabs to lay over a built form. I might try something like that. Or just wedging some different color clay together and throw something with it. Ill probably just stick to mugs bowls or plates. I need more plates so those should be first on the list.

Past for the future.

For this project I will be making tajines. Cooking is something that I do every day and will most likely continue to do in the future. While I cannot find an origin date, I know the tajine has been around for a while and originated in Morocco, Maghreb, and North Africa. This cooking apparatus of the past is still being used today. I will "modernize" this form of cooking by incorporating elements from my life that will remain a prevelant force in my future. My son, being a huge part of my past, present, and future will draw on the finished tajine thus connecting its past to my future. In further thinking about this, I have considered taping off some negative areas on the pot so the entire thing is not covered in scribbles (see photo for sons drawing example and photo for neg. space reference) while adding a little something extra to look at. I have considered further ways to bring the tajine up to modern times by making individual smaller tajines for the single person or the loner. Flameware would be nice for baking, stovetop, or the grill while a stoneware mini-jine would be great for the microwave further bringing it into the present/future. I've also considered a double tajine like the one below for microwave cooking of eggs (ew. But something my brother insists tastes just as good) or even for making two dishes at the same time for families with picky eaters that may insist their carrots be cooked separately from their meat. I've already quoted 4 full size flameware tajines to fufill project requirements, but would really like to make some individual ones out of stoneware before Woodfire.

Sorry this is so long. I got inspired while  looking for reference pics.

Goal met.

My goal for the project is met. I have made two chip and dip servers. I want to make one more before crit. I've found time to be crucial when it comes to cutting and bending the rim. I think I need to make taller walls on outer platter to better connect to shorter inside bowl. The shorter walls are giving a nice wave profile of the rim. I think I like it but need to make the other just to make sure. The plates are done. I've considered making them a little bigger. Ill probably make more before the woodfiring and after crit. I also tried to bend the rim out but decided against it. I felt the rim bending in on the plates related more to the platter.

Transformation

In all my excitement of finishing up the previous project and coming up with plans for the next, I forgot to post last week. Tea pitchers turn out ok. I got some great feedback from crit and really want to make some more before the end of the semester. Next time I do these I will probably pull the handle and the ice cube catcher at the same time to better insure even thickness and marks on both parts. I've also figured out the forms look way better taller rather than more wide, and that the rule of thirds is something to keep in mind.
The transformation project really fits in nicely with my them and ideas for the fall BFA show. I will allow my son to inspire me to transform my work as well as my new home work setting. Through exploration excersizes with my son I've found he enjoys very basic activities with the clay. Cutting it, suishing it, poking holes in it, and stamping it. This has led me to revisit an older idea that I attempted a few semesters ago where handles for mugs were cut out of the rim and bent back. My home setting, with frequent family gatherings, has already inspired me to make objects that can be used for food. Whether their used to eat out of or cook in. I want to further explore that and make serving dishes. I would like to end up with one good serving dish that consists of a big platter with a smaller bowl inside for chips and dip, connected by the cut and bent rim of the bigger platter. I am aiming for 6 small individual plates with rim cut and bent for thumb handles to better hold plates.

Below is a pic of a greenware tea pitcher, a previously made mug, and a chip and dip serving platter that shows placement of where I plan to place the dip bowl inside the serving platter.

Tea pitchers

Slowly and steadly completing tea pitchers. I already have two finished that need to be bisqued and 4 mugs to match them. I worked on overlapping two others to make a three point pitcher but didn't like how they turned out. My walls twards the base were too thick to overlap nicely. I'm worried about cracking. I'm considering finishing a handle for one although I hate it.
I threw my first 10 lb ball of clay tonight and really liked the hight I got from it but it was hard to throw the walls nice and thin without it crashing and burning. For this one I will pull the spout of the rim then attach an ice cube catcher similar to the one below. I want to get one more 10lb pitcher thrown and would like to have 4 more mugs but Im not sure that will happen. Hoping for the best.

Home studio & throwing progress

This weekend I worked on tracking down a wheel for my home work space and some wood and supplies for shelving. Need to clear out my nook and start measuring and sawing. Ordering my wheel as soon asap and should have it by the end of the week.

I made plans with Dan to mix up some new flameware Tuesday. I want to get some stuff made with this! I must find a way to work in some time for my cookware prices. Wanting to make pizza stones, bread pans and skillets.

I didn't get to put in as much time as I hoped to this weekend. I managed to get in my 6 hours today, but extra dry clay made it difficult to wedge and get forms pulled up. I'm going to have to mix it in with a new batch tomorrow in class, and put in some extra hours tomorrow. Looking forward to some fresh clay!

I'm going to try to alter a cylinder for a different type of tea pitcher. I liked the mug in class the other day that was cut and overlaped back together. I've thrown a cylinder that widens at the top. Planning on cutting three times then overlapping. Handle will be on one side and spout will be the opposite corner. Wanting to make time to have a matching set of mugs. Hoping to have 2 orignal sketches and 2 altered, with at least 4 mugs for both ideas (8 total). But I'd really like to have 4 per pitcher. Maybe that's too ambitious.

techinical difficulties

Pics that didn't upload on the last post for some reason...

First blog of my last year as an undergrad.

For the throwing project this semester I want to push myself. I want to make more lightweight pots by paying attention to wall thickness. I am trying to be more delibrate in how my lids, handles, spouts, texture, etc. fit together to make a cohesive form.
I would like to make a few different types of iced tea pitchers. I plan on them having lids but after looking though other pictures I think I will try to make a couple without lids and a type of stopper for just the ice itself. I would like to have four mugs or tumblers for each pitcher I make. Realisticly I think I can complete 4 pitchers with 4 sets of 4 cups.
I'm hoping to carry through the forms and texture that I experimented with the past couple of semesters but plan to alter them as well. Hoping to be inspired.
Here's what I have after week 1.

Spring 2014

Working on making glazes this semester was cool this semester. I liked learning the science behind the glazes and why they look and act the way they do. I plan to further develop the glaze for my flameware I began working on this semester. And maybe even work on some different color shinos for future wildfired pieces.
I have been working on developing my throwing skills, and this semester really helped me get in more practice time to hone in on specific forms. The projects this semester gave me an opportunity to refine each category of pottery. Thining cylinder walls, creating a decent foot ring, pulling handles, etc. And figure out some placement and aesthetic issues like where the handle should attach and really think about placement of texture. All of the throwing will prove beneficial for the future.
There is always room for improvement. With that said I don't think I will be able to think of everything that needs improvement for this blog. I want to work on cleaning up the bottom of pieces, thinning walls, glazing (creating, mixing, application techniques), making some bigger pieces, applying conseptual reasoning behind why and what I make, and predicting how my flameware will warp.
As an artist I want to continue to make things. Work on refining skills, hopefully sell some pieces, have my own studio and means of firing. I hope to take what I learn through ceramics (time management, problem solving, critical thinking, and social skills) and help others see that they can improve their mental health through art. I hope to do this through art therapy.
My son, my family, my art, my housework and my alarm gets me up in the morning. I come to the studio to center myself and some clay and remind myself that no matter how crazy and off center the world (or my clay) gets, it can be shaped into something beautiful or at the very least useful with a little time, practice, and work.

Woodfire!

Its been a while since my last post. There's lots going on the last couple weeks of school. Since my last post I realized my cookers were combination forms that fit the requirements for the project. So I made 3 teapots and 2 lug handled lided cookers. Of those the biggest and in my opinion the best teapot and cooker did not survive the bisque.

The woodkiln has been fired and proved to be a fun and exciting time. Nervous and excited to fire without the kiln Whisperer. The bfa students are stepping up in the Woodfire world. I'm confident we can accomplish a firing on our own.

Work for the wood kiln overall came out awesome. I used Liz Kraus shino, stasha's crab claw, chucks shino, shaner shino, iron saturate, and some bisque flashing slip. I think I'm going to have to mix up some more chucks next semester. I really like the way it reduces to produce some grey spots with a little bit of crackeling in the shiny spots. Next semester I will also make an effort to glaze less work for tumble stacking. I liked how my peices turned out that survived the tumble. I got some great flashing and nice ash accumulation.

Flameware

This clay is so beautiful it diserves its own post. Before cone 10 and after.

Combination forms

This project has been slow to start for me. I've decided to revisit teapots. I've made two and I'm just not happy with how they turned out. They look too much like my previous teapots. While I feel the different components fit together to make better forms than my last teapos I'm just not satisfied with them. I'm going to revisit the cylinder forms I made at the beginning of the semester and see if I can't make something that relates to my mugs a little more. I will also incorporate the previously used line texture. Here's to a productive week.

Late blog. I blame spring break.

Finished the lided forms project this week during break. I have attached lug handles to a few "roasters". I think of the three I got one really nice one. Id like to make a couple more just because I feel like I'm really getting the hang of these lids and would like to have another nice one. I'm considering putting a whole on the underside of the lug handles so the pans may hang on the wall or from a hook for a show.
I was asked while I was working why I didn't use the line texture I've previously used. I've read the flameware chips easily with sharp edges and am trying to avoid that issue. However I'm not sure how the flameware would react if I put the lines in then dulled the edges a bit. Dallas brought this to my attention. And I think ill give it a try.
Line blend tests today and hopefully ill get some throwing in. Also, I will invest in a wheel next semester. I would get so much more done if I could work from home and I think Dalton would like to play in some clay. Possibly inspire some new ideas being in the home location where most of my objects will be used.

Lided

I finally for the chance to work with my flameware! And thanks to the line blend tests I know what the clay body looks like after firing to cone 10. A pretty brown that will go well with my other Woodfired stuff. I constructed these lids by throwing them upside down, trimming, then attaching a small piece of clay then throwing the handle. The flameware drys much faster than my stoneware so I wasn't able to attach handles in time. I think for some casserole roasters these aren't too bad. The lip opens a bit which makes it a little easier to pick up without handles. But lesson learned. Handles sooner. I will make some lugs to use as handles on the next set and hopefully get some nice pans I can use on the stove.