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Alyssa Struthers
Unit 5 projects
small bust
planning:
for this piece I knew I wanted to do a girl with hair built out of coils. So before I started this project I watch a few videos and other people and how they started to build their bust. I got lots of inspiration of what I wanted this girl to look like and when I started creating it, it got easier day by day.
construction:
for this piece I started by getting a block of clay and taking a loop tool to start carving out the base. Once I did that, I formed the head the shoulders. I continued to add facial features like eyes, lips, eyebrows, nose and instead of adding ears I did hair. Before I started the hair, I carved out the head by making a hole at the top and then coving it later with a thin slab of clay. Then I formed my hair by using individual coils that i slipped and scored onto the head one by one. After I finished that, I smoothed everything out and then my final step was carving out the bottom which was an easier process than the head.
reflection:
I was very impressed by this piece and how it turned out. I expected it to not be my favorite because it took so long to make. But in the end, I really enjoyed being able to spot my piece from across the room with the color that I chose to paint it. One thing I learned from making this bust is that patience is key when creating a piece of art. I had to take my time, forming the coils for the hair and shaping the body. I also learned that it is okay to ask for help from others, to make the piece become more advanced.
current artist inspired piece -> harry styles song: sweet creature
planning:
Once I saw the prompt for the project I was excited to use a music artist to create something that was unique to me. I chose the song Sweet Creature by Harry Styles. One of the lyrics in the song is, "Two hearts in one home." So I decided to create just that.
construction:
For the construction I started by using the slab roller to create a flat base that I could form my house out of. Once I got my slab I used a ruler to measure out equal pieces to cut. Then I slipped and scored all the pieces to make a house. After I finished making sure the base was stable. I used the slab roller again to create little hearts that would go into it. I slipped and scored them inside the house and then I sent it to fire. Once it was done with the first round of the kiln, I sanded it and then painted it with colorful glazes to make it stand out.
reflection:
I really enjoyed making this piece because it is one of my favorite music artists. One thing I learned is how It is very easy to make sculptures and art with the slab roller once you get good at it. One critique I have for myself is to use different colors next time to correlate them together so they will look good once fired. But in the end I really enjoyed the quick process of this piece.
mask
planning:
for this unit, the mask was my hardest project. After finishing the bust and other project that involved making faces, I was done with making another one. So when planning this, I went out on a whim and tried to create this very quickly, the result was not the best.
construction:
When constructing this project, I tried three different times, to make a unique mask, First I tried to use a stensil like thing, but I forgot to put a bag in-between the clay and the plastic so when I took it off, the mask broke. Then I tried with a pineapple and it broke after the class was finished. So lastly, I used the plastic stensil again, put a bag in-between and then I formed my mask. the only thing that I should have spent more time on, was the thickness of the piece of slab I used.
reflection:
This project was one of my least favorite ones I have completed this year, but I am glad that I did it, because it taught me a good lesson. The lesson that I was taught was to always finish your work no matter the outcome, because it is good to feel accomplished after your work. One change I would have made to this piece, is to take more picture and paint it before I put it into the kiln for the first time.
Alebrijes -> turtle
planning:
For this project I knew I wanted to do a turtle, so I looked on pinterest and I found a photo that I wanted to use as inspiration for this project. I found the dark blue turtle and decided to re create it to the best of my ability as I am not the best at making animals with clay.
construction:
for the construction of this piece, I started with a block of clay and separated pieces to sort into the head, body and legs. Then I rolled each piece out into a ball. I got the biggest piece as the body and then slipped and scored each leg on individually. Then after I smoothed those pieces out , I took the head and slipped and scored it on. One done, I under glazed the piece with colors I thought would turn out bright. Once out of the kiln I saw that the colors weren't the brightest, but I moved on anyway.
reflection:
For this project, I was happy that I got the chance to make an animal, but I learned that I am not the best in this genre. One thing that I learned is that, even if the piece of art is small, it is still very difficult to get it right. One thing that I like about this project is that we got full creativeness to make whatever animal we wanted. If i were to do this project again, I would either make a different animal, or I would make a bigger turtle, with more precise colors and designs.
useful piece
planning:
for the useful piece I wanted to make a pencil holder or lip balm holder for my desk at home. So i decided it would be a cup without handles or a lid. I wanted to include a pink and purple flower so it would go well with the color of my wall in my room.
construction:
For this piece I started by rolling out a slab of clay and making it pretty thick. Then I cut an even piece of the slab and rolled it to make a cylinder, once I got my shape I slipped and scored the slab together. i worked on smoothing out the piece and then I made the base of the cup. I slipped and scored the cylinder and the disk bottom together and added a bunch of slip to be able to prevent cracking and holes. Then I under glazed a flower and waited for the kiln to run, and then I clear glazed the top.
reflection:
For this piece I liked that we were able to make something as a project that we culd use for ourselves. If i were to make this again, I would use different colors and paint something else more basic so I won't get bored of it. One lesson I learned is that slip and scoring is very useful when used right, because it makes a piece look all that much better.
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