Naked Raku

When we had finished our pieces they were put in the bisque kiln. When ready they could be glazed. The technique we used was 'The Naked Raku Process'.

Before the Bisque kiln.

These are some wire pieces. We explored the forms we made with wire and also used wire to create a piece that would enhance our vessel.

When placed in the kiln, it had to reach 1000 Degrees before they could be removed gently with a tongs.

Then they were placed in the reduction chamber with lots of sawdust and left for up to 40 minutes. This is where the magic happens!

Et Viola!

These beautiful metallic surface is what we firt see when thay have cooled down and been taken out of the reduction chamber.

But... This is how the finished pieces looked. Eventually that lovely brown colour will chip off because of the resist used, this creates an egg shell like surface.

And these are my three finished vessels!

     

Ceramics Elective

We were given a brief which contained an image by Karl blosfeldt. From this we were to develope forms and mark makings using the image as inspiration. We used ink to do this and a variety of tools.

We then made some maquetes using clay to develope some forms from the observations we had made. After this we were  shown the different ways to create a ceramic piece, ie. coiling, slabbing and pinch potting. From this we started to develope our own pieces, i decided to use pinch potting and coiling to create vessels.

Sculpture Week 2

I found some images of oil and petrol spills. I loved the metallic colours and the patterns in them. I decided to chose the form of a chineese lantern because i love their delicacy and beauty, on the fabric used i stained them with paints and inks which was inspired by the petrol stains.

 This was the chineese lantern that i made from bamboo and muslin fabric. I decided to leave the excess fabric on because i liked the look of it, reminds me of a jellyfish! I hung it from the ceiling which added to the floating effect.

The idea originally came from creating something visable from something invisable, ie. the petrol stains and the toxins they let out. The chineese lantern represents the floating particles in the atmosphere.

Sculpture Elective

We were given a brief the first day, it was based on our senses and vital signs - (Corporeality). After intense brainstorming we all ended up with a verb,  mine was 'Staining'. And thats where it all began!

Fist I documented everything in our daily life that is stained by taking lots of photographs, from tea towels, clothes to walls and the body.Then I began by staining everything I could think of. This didn't really appeal to me as it was very contrived. I looked at the idea of staining cells under a microscope, ie. cancerous cells, for something so horrible the images were actually quite beautiful. Then i created my own and also made videos playing with inks and paints.

 

Art. For a Reason

"Each of us is an artist.  The only difference is that some of us realize it more than others.

We can always create, even if we don't have sketchpad or paintbrush at hand. 

All art begins with the neurons in the brain. It begins with attention. What can you see right now that astonishes you?  A series of reflections, the folds in cloth, a silhouette, a plane of color ...

The universe is a fantastic dream.  Notice it every once in a while.  You'll be just fine."

This is just a quote that I found and loved - ' by Lucy Edwards'