Cylinder Slab Built Pot

Inspiration- Slab constructed pot videos- I've really enjoyed watching the techniques of different artists with the creation of slab built pots, and wanted to try them out. I also wanted to practice scoring and slipping on accent pieces such as feet. 

Process

For this project, I began the process of construction by rolling a flat slab, measuring the sides, and cutting the excess edges evenly with a sharp pen tool. I then worked on scoring and slipping the two edges together to form a cylinder shaped pot. I then stuck plastic bags and cloth into the cylinder in order to keep it from caving in while it sets up and dries. After letting it dry for a day or so, I then rolled another slab, placed it over the bottom of the cylinder, then cut around the piece to get a correctly sized bottom. I score and slipped the bottom to the pot, then made three feet and scored/ slipped them to the bottom. After the basic construction was complete, I started thinking of underglaze designs & colors. I decided to paint the entire pot besides the inside, a turquoise color underglaze( Speedball turquoise). After doing a few layers of this, I then went with a black underglaze( Speedball black), and squirted it over the sides of the pot, to give it a fun drip effect. The pot then entered a greenware kiln; following this, I painted roughly 2 coats of clear glaze over the entire piece. It then entered a bisque kiln and was complete.

 

Judgment

I worked very hard on the construction of this piece and tried new things with both my glazes, and process. I am thoroughly happy with the way the final piece turned out.

                                     Beginning Stages

                                                                 

                        The Underglazing Process

       Underglazes (Speedball Turquoise & Black)

                                           Final Piece

 

Plate with Feet Project  

Inspiration

Google.com images/ slab built plates with feet

Process

To begin, I rolled a slab, then used a container to trace out the plate and cut the excess slab  with a sharp pen tool. I then placed the plate inside the bowl to get the curved edges that plates usually have. I began forming the two symmetrical feet; after the plate was done setting up, I scored/slipped the feet to the bottom.  After the plate construction was complete, I decided to go with a pretty purple and black underglaze to paint my designs (both Speedball underglaze).  I decided to go over the top of the plate with purple, then went over it with black stripes. After the top was finished drying, I turned it over and painted black over the entirety of the bottom.

Judgment

I am happy with the way I constructed my plate, and tried a unusual design for the feet. I also like the unconventional, striped design I decided to paint in the top of the plate, but think I had room for improvement for the precision of them. Next time, I would draw lines with a ruler to give me a good guideline for painting the stripes.

                                   Beginning Stage    

                                                     

                    (Speedball Purple Underglaze)

                                       Final Piece  

Layered Installation Project

Inspiration- Google.com images/fun monogram graduation gifts -I have also been wanting to make a special college graduation gift for my older sister, Annie.

Process

I began this project by  rolling out a large slab of clay, then using three different sized containers to cut out my large, medium, and small levels. I smoothed each circle out, and scored/ slipped the levels onto one another, starting with the large at the bottom. I then cut two holes at the top of the largest level for hanging purposes, plus thinned out the middle of the joined levels at the bottom. After letting this set up, I took letter stamps and pressed "AUBURN UNIVERSITY" into the opposing sides of the large level. After this, I chose my underglazes I chose colors that match the school's colors (medium blue and black Speedball, navy blue and white Amaco). I layered on the navy blue to the first level, but wanted to make sure the color came out blue so I layered medium blue over it as well. The second and third level I layered with white. After touching up each level/ letting them dry, I painted black tiger stripes on the second level (Auburn tigers). Following this, I traced my sisters initials onto the top level with light pencil marks. I then painted over the initials with black underglaze. After entering a greenware kiln, I watered down a lowfire speedball orange gloss glaze and painted over the top level; I wanted to make sure that the initials would still be seen. I then painted the bottom with the same color, and covered the other levels with the Amaco clear gloss glaze, and completed the piece by having it fired in a bisque kiln.

Judgment

I am very proud of the way this piece has turned out and can't wait till graduation time when I can give this to my sister. This is probably one of my best pieces I've done this year. I got the colors I had hoped for with my glazes/ underglazes, and am very impressed with the final piece.

                                                                    Beginning Stage

                                     
                                       Final Piece