Repetition

• What direction did you take the word repetition?
• I took a literal direction on my project. I use clay, and the idea of zen tangled to execute this.
• Tell me about your process, from idea, sketch, beginning to finish.
• First, I search ideas on Pinterest, and after see a really cool zen tangled tree, I decided to create a zen tangled leaf. I then sketched out the leaf design. Next, I chose to use red clay, and cut out the leaf and created different, repetitive patterns for each section of the leaf. After being bisqued, I glazed it with clear glazed, and we fired it for a last time. 
• What is at least 1 thing you feel you did successfully and why?
• I think I was successful in creating different patterns and executing my original idea as planned.
• What is 1 thing you would like to change about your piece and why?
• I wish I could make the sections of the leaf more realistic and accurate.

Marble Drop: Hannah & Kelsie's Farm

• Who did you work with on your marble drop?
• I worked with Kelsie on our marble drop!
• What is your theme?
• Our theme is farm
• How did you come up with the theme and ideas for your piece?
• Kelsie came up with our theme, and we brainstormed together to decide which parts of the farm would be cutest.
• What did you find most difficult in making your piece?
•  The most difficult thing in making the marble drop was deciding which aspects to use, and where to put them.
• How does the marble travel?  Did you make your own tracks? If so, how? 
• The marble falls through the top, and into the barn. Then, I rolls down the hail bails and on to the grass, zig-zag track. Last, it falls into the pig, and rolls down the field. Kelsie and I worked together to make the tracks using cardboard and hot glue.
• If you could change anything about your piece what would it be?
• I would create more obstacles for the marble to go through/on.
• What are you most proud of in you piece?
• I am most proud of our painting job, and the little picket fence.

Relief: Floral Tiles

The Three Types of Relief:

There are three different types of relief. These include low, high, and sunken relief. Low relief is when material is added to the surface, but with very little height, such as a coin. High relief is when material is added to the surface, with a lot of height, so that the piece looks 3-D from the front. An example of this are ancient wall designs and sculptures. Sunken relief is when material is carved out or removed from the surface. My piece is considered sunken relief.

Medium & Method of Finishing:

For this project, I chose to use clay as the medium. I chose clay, because I was mimicking the design on my bedspread, and I knew that It would turn out the most accurate, and precise if I used such a pliable material, such as clay.  First, I drew a full size drawing of my piece on a large piece of paper, that I then cut out into the four tiles. Next, I started using the clay, so, I rolled out four slabs and cut them into squares. Then, I laid the corresponding paper drawing over the tile, and traced on the lines, so that I had an idea of where the lines and flowers would be once I started cutting into the clay. Next, I using multiple tools to carve out parts of the clay surface, which created the different shapes and designs. It was then fired. One bisque-ware, I glazed it with different colors, that would match the colors on my bedspread. Lastly, it was fired a final time.

Thoughts on the Final Product:

For the most part, I am pretty proud of my piece. I am especially proud of the texture, size, and overall design of my piece. However, there are a couple of things I would change about it. For example, I would use brighter colors that were closer to the ones on my bedspread. I would also make it a little bit thinker, so it would be less fragile and prone to breaking.

Pinch Pots: Fish Project

I created a fish using two pinch pots!

Land Art

My Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/hcallen2053/sudkamp-ceramics/

What is Land Art?

Land Art is "The art of altering the natural environment to create earthworks." In other words, it is when you take things from the environment to create a piece of work that will eventually disappear. 

Why did you choose this piece?

I choose to make a mouse made of leaves, because when I was pinning and finding inspiration on Pinterest, I though the little animals that people made out of leaves were adorable! I also thought it would be relatively simple, but could be executed in many different ways.

What is one thing you might do differently next time?

I would probably make more animals, so that the mouse would have little friends! I would probably also give myself more time, so that I could make them a little more detailed. 

Project 1: Vessels

My Vessel 

          For my vessel project, I created a circular box. I used clay to do this, which turned out well, because it is solid, and relatively sturdy. I chose clay because I knew these properties and that it would come out with a smooth, even surface. When I made this box, I didn't have a specific intention as to what I would hold in it, however, you could hold anything from water to jewelry to candy. 

How I made it

The underside of the lid has a pink
heart with a yellow background!

              First, I chose a ball of clay and rolled it out into a long strip. I then cut this into a long rectangle, with angled ends, that were long enough to overlap the other edge when it was wrapped into a circle. Then, I cut out a circle, that was the same thickness and the walls of the box. next, I created a circle of the same size that was a little thinner for the lid. Next, I scored and slipped the bow walls to the bottom, and attached a little know to the lid of the box. In addition, I initialized the lid and bottom of the box. It was then fired once, and became bisque ware. Next, I sanded it down to make it even more smooth, and glazed it with a bright yellow color and a light pink. Lastly, it was fired a last time to melt and finish the glaze. 

What Was Vincent van Gogh Thinking When He Painted Sunset at Montmajour

            Why do you think Vincent van Gogh painted this landscape? Was it just because he thought it would look pretty, or is there a deeper meaning? At the time, the artist was living in Arles, France, to seek refuge from his drinking and smoker’s cough. The painting depicts a landscape with the ruins of Montmajour Abbey in the background. When one thinks of ruins, we think destruction or sadness. Knowing this, it could clue us in on how he felt. Maybe, he was feeling that same sadness, and wanted to document it, so that others would understand. Or, perhaps he just thought it would be an interesting painting that would sell quickly.          
     In research I also found, it talked about how, at first, he didn’t like the town of Arles, and how it seemed dirty, exotic, and like a totally foreign country. As compared to many of his other paintings, the paintings that he created in Arles had much or yellow tones in them, which often symbolizes happiness. However, this painting shows very little yellow, and mainly showcases green and blue.  Another thing I noticed from the other paintings from Arles was that many of the rooms were almost empty of furniture less, which could tell us how he felt empty. All of these factors could give us hints as to his original intention when painting Sunset at Montmajour. 

Link to research I used: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_van_Gogh#Paris_.281886.E2.80.931888.29, http://www.vangoghgallery.com/