End of the Road

 Drawing project 3 complete. Overall, I am happy with my results I would like to rethink my installation or display. Hanging with push pins is not ideal! I would also like to further develop my imagery maybe add more companion drawings?  

Taking Flight

One of the drawings from project 3. Originally this drawing would've been on porcelain - which it was. But I started thinking... how was putting this drawing on porcelain any different from paper? So, I redrew the image in a smaller format 5x 7 on paper. Initially the image was 8 1/2 x 11. I needed to use the translucency of porcelain as a drawing tool.  I needed to think more about how the light would affect my drawing on the porcelain. I also, realized I had lost my interest in combining paper with clay... it had just become about the drawing in clay. In addition, my porcelain material was so similar to paper I lost track of my goal. I am confident in my concepts, but not as much in my techniques. Overall, this has been the most trying of my projects as well as the most revealing.

I feel that I am finishing this project knowing what I need to further concentrate on:
installation or display & how it effects the execution of my final piece. Also, a need to focus on one goal. I noticed I temporarily stopped drawing in my sketchbook probably due to stress, confusion, & time constraints. In my last two projects I was able to focus on my one goal & then develop concepts for future projects in my sketchbook as I went along.

Well, I graduate in less than two weeks & there will definitely be time for all my ideas. My goal this semester was to learn as much as possible - get the most from my education. I believe this has been my most fruitful semester despite my defeats!    

Guided by the light

I am struggling to find a way to illuminate my drawings on the porcelain substrates. I have options paralysis! So I decided to do some research on the translucency of porcelain & the possibilities of using light with it. I came across a ceramic artist named Margaret O'Rorke. She uses light as a guide to form her sculptures. Here are some amazing examples of her work...

Sneak Peak

Here is a sneak peak of a series I've been working on simply called Bonsai & Container. This series will be in my BFA exhibition next week. This piece in particular is my favorite of the series of 5. For me this bonsai with it's container symbolizes a new beginning, a breaking of boundaries & traditions, a rising above of one's predetermined expectations. It represents more than a seedling sprouting it represents life. 

Clay or Canvas?

I just received my "canvas" for project 3. 5x7 porcelain substrates. They are almost paper thin... I can't wait to get started!  

Drawing in Clay is Hot!!!

These are my second attempt at my last project. There are seven tiles total and this is what they look like glazed. Out of seven I'm hoping to have at least one turn out! 

The Raku Kiln. It is loaded & ready to be fired. Here goes! 

About 1 1/2 hours and 1855 degrees later these drawings are hot & ready  to be placed into the reduction chamber (a garbage can filled with combustible materials).   

The reduction chamber. And the results are... 

Exactly what I had hoped for! I am really happy with the final result of these pieces. I really enjoyed the whole process & now that I know how I want them fired I will be adding more to this series I am naming "Choice."

Continuing the Journey

 

These tiles have been glazed & Raku fired and are finished. However, as you can see I unfortunately lost the very essence of what I was trying to capture. All the depth, contrast, & texture has been changed into something that is flat, blends in, and glossed over. It all comes down to the unpredictability of the chemical & physical changes that can happen while glaze firing. I was extremely excited about this project & realized half way through that this would be a long term commitment. I was once told by life changing mentor that "one shouldn't  be married to their idea" but in this case I feel as though the commitment I am making to the clay is necessary to discover the most effective way of translating my concept. In other words I am on to project #3 but I am not giving up on the possibilities of this past project. Today I went into the studio and made 7 more tiles. We'll see how they turn out.