Ceramics I: Pinch Pots
Artist Statement:
Throughout the pinch pot unit in Ceramics class, I learned about the process of working with clay. The process was fun but difficult at the same time, since often, the pots did not turn out the way Ihad wanted them to. For example, I was not expecting the clay to shrink in size that much. I created my mug the exact size I wanted it to be, but after drying and firing it I found that it shrank so much that it would not be ideal to use as a cup. Another difficulty I faced was making the lid to my apple-shaped pot. It was hard to get the lid to be the right size and fit the pot since I knew their shapes might shrink and change. However, the lid came out well and fits the pot nicely. Even with these difficulties, the unit was fun since it was full of surprises, especially when glazing. I had fun experimenting with different glazes and layering combinations of glazes to see their outcome. I also discovered that by layering a layer of fuchsia on a few layers of purple (low-fire glazes), the resulting color was a beautiful and shiny purple. It was also fun experimenting with the clay by making different pot shapes. I made a variety of shapes such as a spherical pot and a square-shaped pot and enjoyed trying out new designs.
In addition, I learned new skills throughout the unit. In the beginning, wedging clay felt awkward and silly to do, but now having made numerous pots, I naturally begin by wedging the clay. Also, I learned to use various tools such as the needle tool to carve designs into my pots. I learned about thespeed at which clay dries and that clay cracks more easily the more I fiddled around with it. When I was making the handle for my mug, the clay kept cracking when I bended it into a handle shape. Therefore I learned to form the handle shape quickly while the clay had its moisture instead of letting it dry toomuch. Other than specific skills only related to ceramics, I learned to be patient as well. For example,after glazing two of my pots, I had to wait for the remaining four pots before I could glaze them sincethey had not even been bisque-fired yet. Also, since acrylic paint takes much time to dry, I had to be patient and wait. Although waiting was frustrating, it taught me patience. Looking back at the pinch pot unit, I notice that I learned all of these things in the past few months
In addition, I learned new skills throughout the unit. In the beginning, wedging clay felt awkward and silly to do, but now having made numerous pots, I naturally begin by wedging the clay. Also, I learned to use various tools such as the needle tool to carve designs into my pots. I learned about thespeed at which clay dries and that clay cracks more easily the more I fiddled around with it. When I was making the handle for my mug, the clay kept cracking when I bended it into a handle shape. Therefore I learned to form the handle shape quickly while the clay had its moisture instead of letting it dry toomuch. Other than specific skills only related to ceramics, I learned to be patient as well. For example,after glazing two of my pots, I had to wait for the remaining four pots before I could glaze them sincethey had not even been bisque-fired yet. Also, since acrylic paint takes much time to dry, I had to be patient and wait. Although waiting was frustrating, it taught me patience. Looking back at the pinch pot unit, I notice that I learned all of these things in the past few months