Blog #13. The Getty Museum Challenge

In seeking to stay entertained during self-isolation, I came across as art history related idea that I found fascinating. The J Paul Getty Museum challenged art lovers to post photos of themselves re-creating their favorite masterpiece while being healthy at home. This challenge was originally inspired by the Tussenkurst en Quarantine Instagram account from Amsterdam.

Blog #12 Iron Options in Pottery

While listening to Matthew Katz discussing glazes on the Ceramic Materials Workshop this week, I was really impressed with the work of Scott Jelich. Katz was discussing the effects of iron in ceramic glaze. Iron we learned, is the most predominant element in the earth. Iron and copper are the two main colorants in glazes.

Blog #11 COVID-19 and Post-Firing Depression

A very long time ago, while in high school, I reluctantly took chemistry. It wasn’t a choice, it was a required part of college prep. My experiences in the class were regrettable. I remember my lab partner and I botched an experiment that involved creating some type of crystals. I’m not sure where our error

Blog #10 Creativity and Covid 19

I recently heard Louisville Orchestra conductor, Teddy Abrams, discussing his thoughts about creativity during this time of COVID-19 and wanted to share some of his ideas. Of course all of the performances are canceled, but he and individual members of the orchestra are finding other ways to perform. Some individual members are doing front porch

Blog #9 Final Firings

I’m a little unsure of this blog schedule but I’m forging ahead and will discuss where my work was at the spring break cut off. I was able to complete three plates by trimming the base of them. The plan was to select one as a part of my fisherman still life project. I also

Blog Post #8 Wood Firing and Guest Potters

Blog Post #7 Still Life Project

Participating in the wood firing the IUS ceramics department had last week was a very interesting and educational experience for me. This began on Wednesday with loading, after everyone added wadding with Elmer’s Glue to the base of each of their pots. Firing started late Thursday and ended Saturday. By Saturday we were stoking the

Blog Post#6 Still Life Project

In exploring the three ideas for the still life project, the fisherman and the limitless possibilities of the fish they catch being translated into vases is an intriguing idea that I wish to pursue. I experimented with throwing several cylinders on the wheel and then altering them by simultaneously pressing the two opposite sides close

Blog Post #5 Still life Project

In this project I am seeking to create a still life of objects about a trade or a trades person in which I will pay homage to the relics or tools of that trade. This will be a collection of at least five objects, visually describing or responding to the trade. In the three possible

Blog Post #4. Observer to Participant Project

I was excited to experiment with the new slip trailer I purchased last week. First I completed several sketches of birds in floral designs, which were influenced by Japanese woodblock prints. I went to the ceramic studio with plans of making slip, transferring my drawings to the bell shapes, and then throwing several plates. But