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