Momentum

This week in IP studio.... Ceramics wahooo!

Yes so I spent my studio time in ceramics this week. I'm slowly but surely coming to the conclusion of these larger pieces. They are quite tall at the moment, so much so that I need to stand on a stool to work on them. In many ways the pieces are beginning to grow on me but I think I'm losing momentum at this point. I've been working on them for four weeks now and I think it's about time to start working on some new medium/ smaller sized pieces. I've done a few sketches (images above) but I want to continue drawing because it is helping me visualize the gestures or situations I want to create. I also spoke with John about the sketches and how to address the length and extension of the organisms and an easy solution is to make the pieces in parts and glue them together in the end. Because of this particular clay body I can do everything I am imaging with virtually no issues (knock on wood). I've also discussed the drying time of the bigger pieces with John and he has suggested that immediately after I'm done we load them into the 7 ft kiln, just in case anything breaks I will have the ability to fix it, then slowly dry it out in there for about two weeks (much less time than I originally thought).

I met with Erica yesterday for a while and it was very helpful. I determined aspects that were working and those that were not, along with a good plan of action. I am losing momentum and some interest in the larger pieces which means that I need to move on. Something I am considering doing (thank you Erica) is leaving the fatter of the two pieces at the stage it is in now, a little shorter with a big fat mouth. If I were to leave it where it is now it could incite more interaction. It looks like a huge mouth opening, and viewers can look inside and see the inners of the organism. I would contrast the glazes and/or textures on the inside of the piece. I knew there was some other reason to create these pieces hallow besides the obvious fact.

Above right is a picture of the texture that I have pretty much decided on for these large pieces. It's an all over texture that is grainy and has horizontal lines sweeping around the forms. I chose this because it felt natural to me, also it is referencing all of the stratified rocks I have seen in Turkey and on the way to DC. I think I will use washes on these pieces, probably deeper colors, burgundy and ocher colors, although I am not set on these (upper left image). I'm am not sure about my glazes at all really, which is why I am making mock sculptures and some cone 6 glazes and washes that I want to test. That is my goal along with hopefully finishing these tall pieces this weekend.

A couple of posts ago I mentioned that I had broken off the top piece of my first sculpture, I went back this week and remade the mouth/snout piece. I really loved how it completed the gesture and it was a very important part so I recreated it and will glue it on at the end.

Lots to do, not enough time, but as long as it doesn't snow in Ann Arbor just quite yet I'll be happy.