The new Geil kiln arrived at school over the spring break! We’re loading it up with projects and placing our kiln gods to watch over next week’s first firing.
Here’s a peek at the current project in class. My students continually astound me with their skill and creativity!
Currently my classes are learning about the work of Rodin, and studying their own hands through clay. They are either sculpting two hands interacting with one another, or one hand interacting with an object. Of course I had to join in the fun.
Gloria (La Serna secretary) was recently looking for a pot to fit her beautiful orchids. I made two, just in case one fit better. She now has one on her desk, and the other I donated to a school fundraiser where it was auctioned off.
These are the finished totem poles that will eventually be planted in our sculpture garden.
This is one section of a larger “totem pole” made from coils of clay and sculpted symbolic animals. I’m still working on this one as an example for my Ceramics students, who will be collaborating in groups to complete two finished 10′ poles.
This porcelain teapot isn’t fired yet, but I’m leaning towards a transparent shiny glaze on the inside, and raw unglazed porcelain outside. When finished, it will be an even brighter white than pictured here.
As I was working on this porcelain scull, I was thinking about some of Georgia O’Keefe’s southwest paintings. I’m still unsure of whether I will glaze all or part of this piece, and I’m playing with the idea of incorporating beaded patterns and feathers.
This is a sample I made to demonstrate the process of mask-making for my students. Inspiration was derived from African art, and body art from a variety of cultures. While working on this face, I was thinking about the ritual scarring practiced by many African tribes, Maori facial tattoos, and the Indian art of Mehndi. The neck coils are reminiscent of the Kayan women of Myanmar and Thailand who modify their bodies by stretching out their necks with ornamental brass coils.
Currently I’m throwing mugs and bowls that record the movement of the pottery wheel and path of my fingers. I’m attempting to loosen up my style in favor of character over perfection. To finish the design I’ve pressed hand-made stamps into the clay. Let me know what you think!
Christmas presents for my hubby.
Logo Design
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Self Portraits
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Julia