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Alyssa Struthers
Unit 4 Projects
Handle on a piece
Planning: for this piece I knew I wanted to do a cup for my mom. My plan was to use the slab roller to create the base of the cup and score the bottom and handle on. I knew from the beginning I wanted hearts on the cup so I painted them.
Construction: For the construction I started by wedging my clay and using the slab roller to get the perfect size clay to creat my cup. I made sure the clay was damp enough to not crack while making my cup. then I scored and slipped the slab to itself, added the bottom of the cup and then made my handle. Then I let it get bone dry to then paint the little hearts on my cup.
Reflection: I really liked this piece because it taught me how to really use the slab roller to my advantage. One thing I learned from this piece is to really ake my time and be thorough with my pieces and take my time to make sure they turn out the way I want them to.
Next level Slab, Lidded Box, Poetry Piece Response
Planning: For this piece I decided to do a 3 in 1 piece. It took a lot of planning to be able to include everything I wanted. I got my poem I wanted and it was about seasons, I immediately thought about doing a lidded box with a season on each side. I thought that using slabs was the best technique for this project to be able to get it done on time. I think the reason I thought it was best to do all three projects in one is because I spent A LONG time on my bust and I was very stressed, so being able to convert three projects into one really helped me do the others too!
Construction: For this piece I started by rolling out the slab for the box and then I measured with a ruler 3 1/2 inches by 3/12 inches for six squares. One for the lid, on e for the bottom and four for the sides. Once I did that I scored and slipped everything together. I tried to take as much time as I could to smooth out any creases and make sure the lid fit well. Then I let my piece get very dry before I began to paint. I did an ocean view for summer, a big leaf for the fall, a snowflake for winter and flowers for spring. Then I sent it to fire. Once fired I clear glazed and then the piece went to the art show.
Reflection: This piece was very difficult for me because it tested not only my patience but my will to continue working on it and not scrap the whole thing. Unlike other projects I made myself see this one out because I wanted to see the effort I put in turn into a successful piece. One thing I learned from this 3 in 1 project is that I am able to plan very well but I need to take more time to make sure it looks better and more put together.
Series of four -> scrapped
Planning: For this project I had very high hopes. Obviously it did not turn out that way and it is very upsetting but I am glad I was able to learn from this experience. For my series of four I wanted to do four same sized jewelry holders for my bedroom. I planned to do a thick slab then mold my four pieces to look the same and then paint different flowers on each.
Construction: I started by rolling a thick slab of clay and then cutting out each square. Once I got my clay I smoothed out the slabs and began to mold them to be similar. This is where I faced my first problem, they weren't looking similar and my clay was too watery. Once I got the shapes somewhat alike I sent them to fire and made the mistake of not letting them sit between to boards to flatten and bone dry. I put them in the kiln. Painted them once out and then carved Live, Laugh, Love. Then with the time crunch I was on to create a series of four I didn't have enough time to do something else, so I three these four pieces away and this became my worst project.
Reflection: For this project the reason It turned out so bad is because I was so stressed with how much I was working on my 3 in 1 piece and my cup that I didn't set enough time aside to tackle the series of four. Things that I learned from this specific assignment is that I need to time manage and plan my projects better in order to be able to neatly finish everything in time for the deadlines. Though I had high hopes and was disapointed by this project, I am glad I learned from it.
3D Master work of art from 2D to 3D.
Planning: For my master work project I knew I wanted to do something ocean related. Once I saw Alesia Habovychs' "Ocean Waves" painting I knew I found the right one. Alesia is an artist that repletes with ideal images of people, landscapes, etc. As pictured on the left, Alesia's painting is a beautiful setting of an Ocean wave falling down. I thought it would be best to make a multi use pot. It can be used as a flower pot, pencil holder, makeup brush holder, etc.
Construction: For the construction I started by rolling a medium sized slab and sliping and scoring to together to make the circle shape of the pot. Once I did that, I added the bottom and started on the 3d design. I did this by using the coil machine to get nice big coils to make waves and a big sun. The reason I chose to include the sun is because in the beginning process of this project as seen in the top left I have foam like texture under the wave. I decided later on that I didn't like this so I decided to change it into a big sun to symbolize the sky. Once I finished slip and scoring all the coils for the waves and the sun, I put it into the kiln to fire. I am still waiting for it to come out so I can glaze it.
Reflection: I really liked making this piece because it tested my creative ability. When making something 2D to 3D it takes a lot of imagination to make it come to like and look realistic. I had to brainstorm so many ways to make the waves look authentic and I had to solve a problem and replace it with the sun. From this project I learned that it is really fun to experiment with things you are not too sure of because it will help you gain knowledge of it!
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