Ceramics The Human Element... last class May 2012

Ceramics The Human Element!  By Marlene Woodason

How quickly this class has come to an end.  I will certainly never forget all the talented classmates I met and all the great projects we did in class with our teacher, Judy.  It has been the culminations of many thoughts, processes and outcomes that we have all been through to get to this point. 

 I applaud this class ....for it has been the most unique, diverse and talented class I have ever been in.  I really will miss all the fun things we did.  Especially the first project, the whistles, the figures that sit on bowls .... the heads, and the reports on individual artist. There were so many creative, inspiring students in this basic ceramic class that many people outside of our class were talking about us.   

It seems to me that we learned in every direction possible .... we have seen our triumphs and our disappointments in the projects  we worked so hard on.  We discussed their outcomes and in the future we will have the experience to go forward with new and exciting projects.

This has also been an adventure to see how such creative people of different backgrounds, cultures and ages blended together helping each other.  That was wonderful in my book.  It has my pleasure to be a small part of this fabulous group ... God Bless each one of you on your journey in life~

Note to Judy.... this has been a great ceramic class for all of us and you should be commended for your teaching, tolerance and hard work.  Bravo, The Masterpiece is finally completed! Thank you so very much!

Enjoying The Journey .... Marlene Dale Link Woodason

Photos from my projects and some of the student projects!

Project: designed a head from Shakespeare - Juliet   Hand sculpted - bisque fired

Below:  Goblet and platter project:  slab design platter..... coil created for goblet addition of sculpted vines and grapes.

Other students work:

Ceramics - The Human Element

This is a project that is going to be bisque fired.  It is a goblet with a platter.  It has a grape, vine and leaf pattern that adorns this gothic looking tableware.


This project used multiple ideas... such as a slab cut out platter, built up with a coil.  Then additional  sculpted leaves, vines and grapes.  The construction of the goblet was a hollowed stem with a coiled globe and then the addition of grapes, leaves and vines.  It was also sculpted to enhance the depth of the leaves, vines and grapes.  The challenge to this assignment was to repeat the pattern of the goblet.  It was also decided to keep the dish a very unique shape... that is rarely used.  The next stage is glazing and firing.  

Enjoy the Journey,  Marlene

Ceramics - The Human Element

This is the slab box project that was completed 3-23-12.  It has an old world antiqued looking
lid... with a 2" deep bottom.  It can be used for jewelry, office supplies, tape, push pins, paper clips, rubber bands.  This box was glazed with Iron Oxide and Blue Halo glaze - Cone 10.  It has an old antique appeal and that was the images I was looking for.  


Enjoy the Journey.... Marlene

Ceramics - The Human Element

One of the most challenging parts of ceramics I feel is the glaze.  You just never know how the glaze will react in the kiln.  In our 3rd project we had for class ... we were assigned to throw 6 bowls on the potters wheel.  I made 6 bowls that were abstract in design.  All pieces were curved and fit together like a puzzle.  The glaze was applied with cone 6 glaze in black and purple.  To my surprise the glaze was very pretty when it came out of the kiln.  The bowls were blue with light purple/pink mixed in the blue glaze.  There was a greenish color on the top rim of the bowls. They all look about the same with slight variations.  This was a very different project. It made me happy because I had no idea that the glaze would be so interesting and beautiful.   The bowls were functional and fun for serving.  It certainly was a great project.

Enjoy the Journey!   

Marlene

Ceramics - The Human Element

Artist/teacher, Judy Sigunick, showed her beautiful sculptures at the Albert Shahinian Fine Art  Gallery on Saturday, February, 18, 2012, in Rhinebeck, NY.  This show of Ulster County Artists will be on display at the Gallery until, April 22, 2012.  Bravo to Judy and all the artist at the show.


Enjoy The Journey,   Marlene

Ceramics - The Human Element

It was a very interesting day last week when Krysta showed me how she glazed her bowls.  I watched as she skillfully dipped her work into the glaze. She glazed all four bowls and they looked very professional.  In the photo Krista is letting the glaze drip off the bowl.  She makes glazing look easy!  Great job... can't wait to see them fired.


Enjoy the Journey,   Marlene

Ceramics - The Human Element

I saw Shirley today in the studio and enjoyed talking to her about glazes.  She showed me some of her work and the glazes that she used.  I especially liked the yellow, blue and purple glaze that she used on her bowl.  It was unique and  beautiful.

 I am in the stage of glazing the, "Branch Of Life" project. Trying to decide what color to pick.
In the picture here,  the Branch, bird and leaves have been  fired and waiting to be glazed. There is also a  slab box project I just finished that is drying and waiting to go into the kiln. 

This class has been so valuable in many ways.  I have learned so much!  Looking forward to more challenges ahead!

Enjoy The Journey,

Marlene


 

Ceramics - The Human Element

Ceramics - The Human Element  

The first ceramics project that we are doing in class with teacher, Judy Sigunick, is a 18 inch coil pot.  She has been a great guide throughout this project.  Showing me techniques to use in forming, and balancing this tall cylinder. First, the clay is prepared to be worked on.  Then a  base is made  approximately 4" round.  Then the clay is rolled into long coils.  You then start wrapping and securing the coils on to the base until the project is molded in the 18 inch cylinder.

The next step is to create an idea for the cylinder.  It can be etched into the clay using clay tools that can carve skillfully into the cylinder. In this project,  I added a few branches that extend out from the cylinder.   It was a good  idea to put this large project on a pedestal base so it could be easily moved around without lifting it all the time.

My project is called the "Branch Of Life" it can be utilized as a vase with a few other portals for flower distribution.   The reason I picked that name was because it relates to my family in a continuing branching of love that is extended from the tree.  The addition of a red cardinal that sits near the tree represents a bird that my mother loved.  I thought that was a touching addition to this branching of love and family.

The photograph here depicts this project in the stage of drying and getting ready for firing.  It will then be glazed and fired again. 

Enjoy The Journey,

Marlene Link - Woodason

Ceramics - The human element

Ceramics - The Human Element

The beauty of ceramics is the ability to create something unique out of clay. Each individual takes the clay, prepares it and molds it into the design that they envision. They take the clay through many steps until the final process is complete.

In the photo we see, Pat working on her ceramic creation . She is an inspiration to me and is very helpful too. She has given me tips on tools she likes to use for her projects and also a few ideas for using a pedestal when working on a sculptured piece.

This class is so enlightening. It mixes people, clay, education and creativity... and that has the makings of a masterpiece, one student at a time!

Enjoy the journey... Marlene