Post 3

Narrative Box

The purpose of a narrative box is to tell a story through artwork. This would be achieved by creating a hollow form or shape and filling it with objects or creating a story line that flows and makes sense to an audience.
Photos of other peoples work are hard to come by for this assignment, so it is harder to generate ideas.
Another possible idea for this assignment could be to make a rectangular structure and divide it into smaller squares on the inside. Each square would represent a room or important aspect or moment of my life. Another idea for this concept would be to show the past vs. the future.

Post 2

For the ceramic hump mold, I plan to create a mask. My first thought was to create a mardi gras mask because it is something that would have a personal importance to me. As I researched photos of other ceramic masks, however, I found that there are many other possibilities. Some of the masks that caught my attention include:

Post 1

Reflection of Mugs

When beginning the mug assignment, I first had some difficulties with creating my form.  This created some frustration, but I realized that every time I messed up, I would have a better chance of doing it right the next time. After multiple times of creating new mug formations, I had a form that I was happy with.  My form was the smaller size of the two options we had to choose from.  Creating a drawing plan/ stencil was very useful in knowing what to do with the form to make it more interesting. I also felt that the technique used to transfer the color marker stencil was also very practical and convenient. The carving design featured on my mug is a sun and a moon.  Although the sculpting of my form is complete, I still have future plans for my mug.  After it is fired, I hope to add color/ glaze to my mug form to complement its two-faced stencil design.

Cylinder/ Mug

Plan:
For my cylinder piece I prefer to make a mug rather than something with a different function like a vase. This is because I feel it makes more sense to make practical use of the piece!
My plan is to not just make a mug, but add some originality to the handle to make the cylinder ceramic look more interesting and draw more attention to the eye.  My favorite idea is the giraffe handle.
For a secondary piece, I like the mug with a drip affect at the top, although the matte finish on the piece is made from terracotta clay.

Self Directed Work

Plan/ Process: For my self directed work I made a slump mold of a plate. I choose not to include our newly learned technique of scrafetto for this piece, but still chose to include a hand made stencil made from newspaper.
Product:

As of lately I have been very intrigued by fortune tellers and Palm readings. This was my inspiration for my self directed piece. I was very pleased with the way it turned out and feel that it is very original.

I first added detail to my center design of a hand stencil by including information for palm reading.  I felt the original lines I drew was not enough detail, so I decided to add symbols as well as their definitions on the right hand side  of the plate.

Slump Mold/ Plate

Plan: To make a slup or hump mold which is achieved by either molding the clay slap in or over the plate mold.  I decided to make a slump mold.
Product:

To start my process I cut out handmade stencils from newspaper.

I layed out my stencil designs in order to envision the way I wanted me design to look.

After painting over my stencils, I removed them and my design was revealed.

For my final product, there is scrafeto featured on the sides and extra detail and color featured on the center stencil of a cheetah.

Stencil Ideas

Soap Dish and "Plant Holder"

For my soap dish design, I planned to make a seashell. My final project did reflect my original ideas and I feel confident that after the glazing process, the seashell will look more emphasized and look even more accurate!
For the "plant holder", I created an oval shaped holder with textured designs shown on the front.  The textures included squares and line and dot designs inside the squares. I also included a crescent moon on the front of the slab with swirled textures.

Stencil and Slab Plan/ Design

For the stencil and slab plan design, I chose a small rectangular mold followed by stencils which include arrows and a portrait of a tiger in the center.  I feel that the main element of design reflected in this piece is emphasis because it focuses mainly on the center object which is the tiger.

Combined pinch pot - strawberries

Update: Finished Product

Planning of Hump/Slump Mold

Hump or Slump Mold // Plate

The plates displayed in the images below stuck out to me because they are all unique and original ideas.  I feel as though it would be more interesting to create a plate that is especially creative rather than just an ordinary plate.

These puzzle piece plates are very creative.  I feel as though the plates would not be used individually, but would make great cheese or noshing platters for hor dourves. 

These animal/ character plates are more interesting that your typical plain plate.  They would be very fun for kids and add more character to the ceramic design.

This idea of combining three or so plates is unique.  All though this plate may not have an everyday use, it would make in interesting artistic wall decoration, or could even be used as a platter.

Between all three of these slump mold plate designs, I feel as though I would be most likely to choose to create and animal or character plate. I feel as though that style would be more creative and colorful.

Combined Pinch Pots

Plan
My plan in creating two combined pinch pots was not to create a piece of artwork that would necessarily function, but rather something that I would be proud of.  Therefore, I created two strawberry ceramic forms which would complement each other.
Process 
My process in creating the strawberry forms was to first create four uniform pinch pots that were similar in size.  Following this, I combined the pinch pots and added characteristics of strawberries, such as seed spots and leaves to the top. So that the strawberries would be complementary as I had originally planned, I etched an effect that would show dripping chocolate. Therefore, the two strawberries would complement each other due to the fact the fact that one was plain and the other was chocolate covered. 
Product
Although my product is not 100% complete because the forms are not yet painted to show they are complementary, I am confident in my finished product.  I feel as though I was able to create what I had envisioned. 

First Pinch Pot

For my first ceramic piece, I made a pinch pot. The pinch pot is a basic hemisphere shape. I also chose to detail it with a drip effect coming off the top. To emphasize the drip affect, I plan to paint the pot two different colors.