Week TWO

And it has begun…sculpting, building, throwing, glazing and firing has now ensuedJ  Oh, how I have missed being in the studio!  I got approval to begin my endeavor of creating my first solo show this semester.  Along with my solo show, I also got approval to move forward with the train kiln project and the components that will go within.

I am quite excited with my plans for these projects!  I am planning on making some really unique slab tumblers for the train kiln (I can’t wait to see how they fire!).  Besides, wood fire throwing has been done so many times-let’s spice it up a bit J  However, I have begun throwing some on my kick wheel.  By the end of the semester, my legs should be like iron!

I have also begun the pieces for my solo show this week.  I am really looking forward to doing these pieces and hosting a show.  I just hope that my nerves can handle it!  Hey, keep it simple right?  I have included a beginning picture of one of the pieces that will be in the show.

This week alone, I have researched a new clay body recipe, a new glaze recipe and have made glaze patties and glaze tiles.  Busy, busy, busy.  I will be making the new clay body next week along with glazing those tiles and some very patient pieces.  Not to mention, I will be running the slabs for the train kiln pieces and building more pieces for my show.

Here is a few snapshots for your viewing pleasureJ (and don’t forget to feed the fishies!)

WOO HOO!!! I'M BACK!!!

It is Spring 2012, and I am so glad to be back in the ceramics studio!  After a horrible six month medical detention from the studio-I can’t tell you just how good it feels to have my hands back in clay! 

My kiln is up and running too!  As I write this blog, it is cooling from its first bisque and I can’t wait to see the results.  I had to overcome a couple of minor obstacles to get the kiln going (finding the electrical wire rated for its draw and installing a bigger breaker) but nonetheless, I am rolling now!

This week, I got to begin making tiles (cylinders) to begin our class component of experimental glaze techniques.  I am very interested to see how this experiment turns out.  I will also be making my own tiles for glaze experimentation in my home studio.  I want to do this “double-duty” because I want to see the results for cone 6 glaze techniques as well as cone 10. Also, because cone 6 will be the main cone I fire to in my home kiln.  My kiln can go to cone 10, but I am not ready to wear out the elements just yet J 

I have also begun my sketch plans for the items I will be firing in the train kiln we will be building this semester.  I am so anxious to get the experience of building a kiln under my belt!  It will be great!!  Right now, this IS definitely a once in a lifetime experience!  Really, how many times will I get the chance to say that I helped build a kiln?  Hopefully, I will get more opportunities, but to keep on the safe-side, this is the only one I know of for the nearest futureJ

I have also done some sketches for a solo show I would like to pursue for this semester.  I am quite nervous about doing my own show, but I am ready to take it on in all its glory!  I can’t wait to get feedback from my professor so I can get going on the pieces J

Below, are a few photos from this week.  Included is a photo of the first set of glaze tubes,  a visiting artist snapshot, and a couple from my first bisque firing process in my home studio.

Until next week!

It's Almost That Time...

Only two more weeks left of the semester-SWEET!!  However, I must say that though the majority of this semester was brutal-I will really miss my beloved ceramics class L  I would have liked to take the summer course Special Topics in Ceramics, but I was not aware of it until too late L  I just can’t afford $700 out of my pocket right now.  HOWEVER, I plan on visiting my fellow mudslingers during their course this summer (hopefully).

As for this week in review, it has been quiet hectic.  I have been loading/unloading kilns, bisque fixing and glazing all week.  My last green ware is becoming bisque as we speak.  I loaded my first batch of cone 6 pieces today.  I will have my last load of the semester ready to load on Monday.

I had to do some major bisque fixing on one of my combined vessels this week (pictures below). It had seven areas that had to be mended!  I will tell you what-if it doesn’t make it through the glazing and last firing process-IT WILL BE SUPER EPOXIED!!!!

I have also been doing quite a few experiments in my glazing processes.  I really do hope they turn out well!  I should be able to see the first load results on Sunday-so excited!

Until next week…”be the change you wish to see in the world”-Ghandi

 ART is the best way to change the world!!!!

Honorable Week

This week in review includes wetware cutoff, honors society induction and further home studio planning and shopping.  Busy, busy week as usual J

Let’s start with wetware cutoff.  Let me say this, I will be SO GLAD when I am able to not have to worry about wetware cutoff anymore!    As usual, wetware cutoff gets pretty hectic and usually involves many sleepless nights.  LOL.  Never mind the insanity that is accompanied with wetware cutoff, I DO really enjoy being able to focus all my time on my clay! J  However, I am sometimes led to believe that my other professors are not as happy about me focusing my attention solely to clay as I am! Ha! Tough.   In fact, I think the only thing that I do not like about wetware cutoff is feeling like I am rushing the clay and it will not turn out as awesome as it normally would.

Now, onto the honors society induction.  I was inducted into the Pinnacle Honors Society on Tuesday evening.  SWEET!  I also learned that this particular society is usually reserved for senior status students (class standing-not age!) and that only a very few “exceptional” juniors are accepted.  Umm…wow!  Now I wonder if they may have got me confused with some other crazy clay lady?!   On a side note, I am very proud to say that I was not the only “Dirtbag” in attendance-Ms. Rosie was there too!  CONGRATS, ROSIE!!!  I sure will miss her when she leaves after the semester L

Last, but not least, further planning has been accomplished on my home studio.  We should be getting the electric necessities this weekend and AWESOME BRIAN is letting me borrow some broken shelves to conduct the test fire.  I have also purchased some peephole plugs, kiln post, mason stain, epoxy and glaze chalks!  I am like a little kid in a candy store just waiting to get my studio fully underway!

Until next week, this extreme mudslinging pyromaniac is out of here!  ENJOY!!

What break?!?

Here we are, back at it again!  I have done quite a bit in last two weeks or so.  I have been working on about seven projects at once! 

 First up?  The three different hand build projects and so far they are coming along nicely.  I need to order some supplies to finish one of them-so unfortunately it is holding me up. L  I may have to take a different view of one part of another hand build I am working on. Who knows, I may be able to pull it off with awesome glazing skills!  Whopper into play ball…can it be done?  WE SHALL SEE!!!  Last, but not least of the current hand builds, the drugs!  They are coming along very nicely.  A special thanks goes to Erika for showing me a tool that will help the process much better than what I was using!  LOVE IT!!! (picked mine up today from Prestons)

Second to go?  The two throwing endeavors I am on.  Due to the pneumonia I had a few weeks ago, and the result it had on my throwing abilities, I am working on throwing some better lidded vessels.  Wish me luck on those J  I am also working on my final throwing project for the semester (wait for it…) a COMBINATION VESSEL!!!  WOO HOO!!  So far I am having a lot of fun with this piece.  Take note that I am not really sure what the end result will be (or look like) but I am having a great time just letting the clay and wheel speak through me!

Lastly?  I have finally finished my in home gallery/library!!  I am so excited that it is finally finished (only took me “forever”)!!!  I am even more stoked that I can now begin filling it up with more of my work!!  I also love the fact that it is a “non-working” area in the house that I can go in and relax and not be tempted to work.  (My husband’s idea and I am sure he will be grateful!)  Thanks to getting the gallery/library done-I was also able to get my studio organized for more productivity until the next phase of my studio project comes (wall construction and insulation).

On a final note, my spring break was not a break at all-haha!  In fact, I had to come back to classes to get a “break.”  We worked day in and day out on the gallery and other projects,  and with a wedding and multiple family/friend visits tossed in there for good measure-I felt like a chicken with its head cut off!  No worries, the semester is almost over and I will collapse for the first week after (here’s hoping!)

ITS GLAZIN TIME!!!

Let’s see, I missed last week’s blog thanks to being a very busy bee!  So, recap, last week I got to learn how to throw a plate, but I have not tried just yet.   Can’t wait to try throwing Frisbees!  I came up with my final hand build project idea and was able to get the specific clay for said idea.   

This week, I have gotten a good start on glazing many pieces.  I am trying out numerous cone 6 glazes.  I started by mixing six different glazes and buying about five more to use as well.   My first batch of cone 6 came out today and so far I am pretty impressed by the results.  I have also noted a few different techniques to try for my remaining pieces.  I am really looking forward to being able to spend some quality time in my studio during spring break.  Will be much more satisfying when I do not have other classes and such butting in!  I also got to learn some etching techniques that I am eager to apply to my future pieces-THANK YOU SUE!!!

However, I must say that I believe my pottery wheel is mad at me for the previous neglect, because on Wednesday morning when I was glazing-my pottery wheel decided to jump out in front of my and fracture my little toe!  SWEET! (yes, that is sarcasm)  It is doing a little better now and my gait is improving (somewhat).  Well, I am going to go put this foot up to rest so that I can get started on my CLAY(spring)BREAK tomorrow!!!

Pneumonia has kept this artist down!

This week has been absolutley horrible!  I have had pneumonia since last Thursday.  It has kept me from doing a lot of my artwork.  I haven't been able to throw because I am still too weak from the pneumonia :(  I have missed too many classes this week and feel completely behind everyone else. 

My rubiks cube collapsed on me when I was trying to finish it :(  Back to the drawing board on that one.  I SWEAR I WILL GET IT MADE!!!  I have tried throwing so many times since I got sick and it has either ended with me in the floor or with me crying because my body is keeping me from doing something I love to do.  At this point, I can't even throw a simple cylinder :(

I wasn't able to get any photos of work this week because of missing so many classes thanks to the pneumonia AND because I have not been able to do much.  I am hoping beyond all hope that I will be able to do my artwork next week and I will have a MUCH better week than what I have just gone through.

In case you were wondering-I HATE PNEUMONIA!!!!  I sincerely hope that noone ever has to go through it like I have had to go through it.

Looking forward to better and brighter weeks ahead...