I came into ceramics for the first time this fall not knowing what to expect, and really completely doubting my ability to make anything worthwhile. Throughout this year I learned more than I could have hoped for in ceramics. This semester as a first time advanced ceramics student I wanted to expand my skill. Patterns have always interested me and so I decided to make them my theme for the semester. I added patterns, both with glaze and physically, to my projects to convey my theme. I made mugs, teapots, bowls, and vases using new techniques and skills this semester
WHAT:
This semester I created a wide array of projects, but the bulk of my art consists of mugs. These mugs I created for personal use, and they each have an element that relates to my favorite things (colors, shapes, fun and unique patterns). On my first mug I created a simple base and added alternating vertical stripes with orange and red underglazes. I glazed it in this manner to make it bright and lively. My other mugs have similar patterns, each individual and each a happy color and pattern. I made a teapot of a very classic design and I glazed it with vertical black stripes on the body, with the stripe in the middle thicker than the other two to make it more interesting. the center is glazed in black to emphasize the outer body and shape. On a few projects, a bowl, a mug, and a teapot, I used splatter glaze of various colors. The vast collage of colors is very beautiful and the way it always turns out differently really interests me.
HOW:
I tried and altered many techniques this semester. On almost all my projects I utilized the stick tool as a way to shape  and center my projects, it cleaned up all of my projects and really made them straight and centered. I also tried different types of choking, on my newest mug I used my little finger to create small creases in my project. I did this four times to finish my project with a wavy texture. I also used many different glaze combinations to experiment with the colors and create new designs. I also became a huge fan and user of the underglazes, they always turn out very precise and exactly how you want them to, which is essential for creating patterns.
WHY:
Patterns are everywhere, in nature, in architecture, in everyday life. I made this my theme because we live our lives in patterns. I used my techniques, small choking to create identical waves in a project, new glazing ideas and using different tools to my advantage, to try to capture the patterns that we subconsciously see every day in my artwork. Architecture, houses, rooms, everywhere we live is consisting of pattern. These patterns comfort us, give people a sense of familiarity and prevent us from feeling out of place in any place we go. This idea I included in all my projects but more specifically my mugs. These being personal Mugs, I wanted something that I could use every day, and, naturally, I turned to patterns to create something that I could be familiar and comfortable with. 
This year in ceramics I learned how to use my art to convey and even impress feelings on myself and others. I used my theme of patterns as an aide in my projects to create happiness and familiarity for myself and my friends. All my projects, my mugs, my teapots, my bowls, and my vases, we're all created either for me or for someone close to me and therefore I wanted them to use them at home.



Leave a Reply.