Week 8 - Yay!
I am happy to report that this week was full of successes. Firstly, my big sculpture survived the bisque with no cracks! I owe this win to the wonderful near-brand-new oval electric ConeArt kiln and the previous resident artist’s 5-phase super slow sculpture firing schedule. The sculpture is standing on three feet and looking great; I’m proud. I’m hoping to squeeze her into next month’s wood firing!
Equally exciting (ok maybe not to everyone, but to me) is that I made a giant batch of paper clay in the mixer using the class stoneware recipe + a little extra grog and 1 part toilet paper that I definitely didn’t take from the school bathroom (if I happened to, though, it was one of the extra rolls; I’m not a monster!). I was surprised at how well the paper fibers dispersed through the whole batch. I love the consistency and can’t wait to start sculpting with it next week. (Picture of Sarah included because she now wants to make her own paper clay. Mwahaha)
Making wise, I started the week by throwing some thick bottomed cup forms (which I have yet to get to) and goblet parts, as well as a big bowl. I then assembled and altered them in the same ways I’ve been doing with my non-functional work.
The inside of the bowl
Thinking of tidal pools and misty seaside cliffs and little natural rock fortresses that bugs or fairies might inhabit. I had so much fun carving and sculpting these two goblets and the ceremonial bowl. I feel really fulfilled by the work I did this week, albeit it not being much in volume. It is concentrated and honest and exciting work.
The bowl pictured is upside down and will be flipped after it’s fired. I carved out the inside as well but didn’t take great photos of it.
GH and I are loading a soda on Monday/Tuesday! I’m going to throw some sculptures in to test raw stoneware with deposits of soda/wood ash. I’m excited to step back and let the soda work its magic on my forms in this firing.
GH and I successfully lowered my wide propriocepta sculpture into CC!
weekly gratitudes
~ CC kiln + the slow sculpture bisque schedule !!
~ A new creative spark and excitement about my work
~ The limitless nature of clay
~ My spider molted successfully!!!!!!!!!
thinking about:
I am definitely a night owl and an introvert, and my creativity and energy levels don’t work with society’s schedule. I’m trying to navigate this and find ways to still be and feel productive while the sun is up and people are in the studio.
How my sculptures relate to land, place, and home
Where my inner child lives (thinking about that specific, real location. Lots of childhood memories flow back to me as I sculpt)
Reconnecting with my inner child and honoring her as I explore my forms
artists on my mind
I wasn’t thinking of any specific artists this week. Oops.